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bighndrxx · 2 years ago

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smile: eren jaeger

chapter 7: ‘still here’ summary: eren and kodi spend the day together lowercase intended previous chapter -> chapter 6

it was early in the morning and kodi was awake, surprisingly. she had no intention of waking up this early on this very wednesday, but she was somewhat glad she did.

eren would text her every morning since they exchanged numbers. he'd say good morning to her every day around 7AM. kodi would respond at 11, seeing as she wasn't a morning person. today though she woke up at 8, and so she responded to eren at this time. kodi groaned in frustration as she heard her phone ringing only to see a facetime notification from the contact 'eren'.

"what" she said after picking up, she held the camera towards her ceiling in order to avoid her face.

"what you doing?" he asked. kodi looked at his background, noticing he was exiting a gym. "what it look like" she responded, putting her the top of her head in the camera to show her headboard behind her. eren chuckled slightly at her response before he spoke again. “let’s get breakfast” he said. kodi almost said no solely for the fact that she wanted to go back to sleep, but she didn’t. they agreed on eren picking her up at 9 which gave kodi less than 50 minutes to get ready. she made the most of it, turning her room almost upside down to find a subtle outfit that was cute enough but wasn't dramatic. she was excited, as if this was their first date. she slipped on her skims legging set, wanting to be comfortable as she intended to eat a lot. after grabbing her coat she was ready at exactly nine, of course she knew he wouldn't be there at the exact time but when 9:30 passed she grew suspicious, she checked her phone repeatedly until it was 10. eren still wasn't there, she gave up, not bothering to check her phone any longer. she walked up the stairs heading towards the kitchen to put a breakfast together.

kodi was surprised when she saw eren and kayden having a discussion at the front door, looking more serious than usual. the two saw her and immediately stopped their conversation. she looked at the both of them, her face holding an annoyed expression. she was ready to curse out eren the next time her texted her, so seeing him an hour late talking to her brother instead of her was enough to piss her off more than she had already been. eren read her expression immediately, speaking before she had the chance to. "I'm sorry something came up.. you ready?" he asked her nervously. kodi looked him up and down noticing his face and body language looked more distressed than she'd seen regularly. "yeah" she said simply. kayden looked at his sister then back to eren, "ya'll have fun.." he said as he turned towards the hall he side eyed eren while walking away mumbling under his breath "not too much fun"

eren opened the passenger door for kodi before going to sit in the drivers. the ride was silent for the first few minutes until kodi let her curiosity get the best of her. "what came up" she said, coming out like a statement instead of a question. eren didn't respond, he noticed she'd do that often, all of her questions demanded answers. "what came up" she said again waiting for an answer. "nothing important" he responded, kodi looked at him for a minute, noticing he'd been more quiet than usual. "why are you lying" she said, her question coming out like a statement once more. she looked at him again, noticing his face growing for irritated and his hand tightening around the steering wheel. kodi leaned against the window, putting a distance between her and eren. “you want me to take you back home?” he asked her. the tension in the car was evident and he didn’t want it to carry on into the restaurant. “mm mm” she shook her head no, still looking outside the window.

“kodi” he said her name, not wanting to speak to her without looking. she turned towards eren allowing him to talk. “i’m sorry i was late but I'm here now so stop looking gloomy and shit" he said, placing his hand on her thigh after. "okay" she looked at him, nodding slightly. eren smiled at her response before he spoke again. "why you always look at me like that?" he asked “you never smile.. your shit like perfect too and you never show it off" he said looking ahead at the road. kodi shrugged. “i do smile” she said as she connected her phone to the aux.

she tried her best to not act like she was still bothered but she was. she didn’t care that he was late, she felt as though the both of them were hiding something from her and she didn’t like it. kodi tried not to think about it but she still was, and eren noticed. neither of them brought it up, for the sake of the rest of the day. they reached the restaurant, which was confusing to kodi as she thought they’d go to an iHop.

“cmon” he reached for her hand, grabbing it as they walked to the entrance together. kodi’s stomach began to flutter as if a million butterflies were moving around in it. she felt happy. upon entrance they found a table immediately. they sat in a booth, talking about any and everything that popped into either of their heads.

“what are you getting” kodi asked eren while she read the menu as she couldn’t decide what she owanted. she looked up to find eren typing on his phone with an annoyed expression. “pancakes” he answered shortly. she pursed her lips before looking back at the menu. the waitress took their orders shortly after.

“you’re quiet” eren said as he watched kodi scroll through her phone while they waited for their food. kodi shrugged “i’m hungry” she said while she looked at her face phone. eren sighed “everyone believes you when you start acting like this?” he asked her, making her look up from her phone. ever since they started talking eren watched her do everything when they were together. he paid attention to ever detail about her wether she noticed or not. “what's wrong”

kodi thought about what to say for a minute before she responded. “it doesn’t matter” was all she said making eren sigh in frustration. he disregarded it and changed the topic. “you wanna run some errands after this?” he asked her. kodi nodded, almost smiling. their food arrived right after, making kodi smile fully. eren watched her as she pulled out her phone, taking a picture of both his and her plate. "waffles are better in my opinion"

"I didn't ask for your opinion"

——

the drive to target was much less silent than the one to breakfast. kodi spent the majority of the time singing along to whatever song she played from her phone. “you can’t sing by the way” eren said as he stopped his car. “they said this about beyonce too” kodi responded as she stepped out.

“no? they didn’t?”

they entered the store, kodi walked beside eren as he pushed the cart, grabbing small items on the way. she watched him while she talked about anything that came into her mind. he grabbed random items as they walked around the store, ranging from notebooks to hair ties. as they approached the women's clothing section kodi spotted a pair of leggings and grabbed them immediately. "eren, which one" she held up two pairs of flared leggings, one grey one black. she stared at the both of them for a while before answering. "both" he said. kodi rolled her eyes. "I don't have both money" she said, holding both of the leggings closer to his face ushering him to pick one. "then I'll get them" he said grabbing both of the leggings out of her hands. "oh"

they began to walk towards the art supplies isle. kodi watched as eren picked up a couple of sketchbooks before she wandered off to find candles to smell. she looked at the row of candles in front of her, not thinking about any of them. she thought about eren, about how she knew so little about him but felt like she wanted to be with him all the time. regardless of the secrets he kept from her, she felt like he had an aura that allowed her to be calm...similar to the candles she looked at as she was lost in thought. "this one smells good" erens voice said, she jumped slightly, not noticing he had followed her. she took the candle from his hands, smelling it for herself. "mhm" she smiled as she liked the scent of the candle. eren grabbed the candle and headed over to checkout.

as they walked out kodi checked her phone seeing multiple text messages from jean. she didn't open them, she didn't want to become upset again while she was out with eren. she felt a wave of guilt knowing eren and jean were close friends, knowing she had been with the both of them and eren didn't know. kodi sat in eren's car, looking straight ahead. “i’m spending the night” eren told her, making her head turn in confusion. “that’s what i was talking to kayden about” he said shortly after. kodi didn’t respond, one of kayden’s friends would be there when she woke up every morning ever since their dad had left for his latest business trip so this was nothing new. she didn’t understand why it was so serious, she didn’t let herself get bothered by it either.

when they reached kodi's house she noticed a car in the drive way, she recognized jean's car and immediately frowned, confused as to why he wasn't at his campus. they walked in the house, immediately hearing yelling coming from the basement. kodi rolled her eyes as she locked the front door, not surprised to hear kayden and jean arguing over nothing. kodi and eren walked down the stairs, catching almost everyones attention. her eyes scanned the room, noticing the usual people that were always there-- that being connie and jean, surprisingly, armin wasn’t. "kodi!" connie said, squealing in excitement. "oh." he said looking at the target bags in the both of their hands. "yall went to target?.. they fucking. raw." he said turning back to jean who slapped the top of his head. "ow nigga? all I'm saying is if you see me in target with a bitch we fucking raw" jean smacked his head again.

"hey connie" kodi said before she set the bags down in her room, coming out right after to see what the two were arguing about. "so you eat cereal with cold milk? and you think that's normal?" jean asked yelling at kayden. "what? yes?" kayden responded dumbfounded at the argument jean was making.

kodi looked between the both of them, realizing they were arguing over wether you were supposed to warm your milk when eating cereal. "kodi." kayden said, asking for reassurance as he felt he was losing his mind over the subject. "she doesn't eat cereal that's not fair" jean interrupted before kodi could respond. kayden looked between the both of them, groaning in frustration before turning to eren. "I don't either" he shrugged at him. "you guys are fucking weird" kayden said finally before dropping the topic. he looked at his sister who sat on a beanbag chair, not particularly doing anything but staring off into the carpet. “i thought you didn’t like us” he said cheekily, wanting his sister to admit his friend group was fun to be around. “I don't" she reassured kayden, which was obviously a lie. although she didn't care for the group itself she loved watching them interact as if they were siblings, it was a bond she could only catch herself having with nalani, so when she wasn't around it was entertaining to watch the others.

"you're quiet" kayden said, bored with the discussions the others were having. he sat on the carpet in front of her looking up to her as if he was a child attempting to bug someone. kodi shrugged not really knowing what to say. "why is he still here?" she pointed to jean who was now arguing with connie over cereal once again. "it was either fail a drug test or stay away from campus" kayden said. "speaking of campus, when you going back?" he asked her. their first year of college was the only time the twins had been separated for this long, seeing kodi and being in his own home was refreshing to kayden. being separated from his sister this long gave him a reality check, he realized he had no excuse to be his immature self anymore. "a week and a half left" she answered. kayden nodded. "well good luck" he said before the others decided to get louder.

"you people don't have homes?" kodi said looking at connie who's shirt was balled up in jeans hand. she left the basement, going to the kitchen to eat the leftovers she had brought. as she closed the fridge she jumped slightly at the sight of jean. "christ" she said under her breath. "when are you going to stop ignoring me" he said as he leaned on the counter, watching her as she put left over sausage links in the microwave. "I didn't think you'd care" he said. kodi looked over to him with an expression of disgust.

"you didn't think I'd care about bringing the bitch you fucking into my house on my fucking birthday?" she tilted her head looking at jean, who stared at the floor. kodi started to grow frustrated with him. she waved her hand in his face, still no response. she scoffed, feeling almost angry at jean. "I don't want this anymore" she said, completely forgetting her food in the microwave. she didn’t understand how he could’ve thought this, the same jean that promised they’d be together happily. the same jean she’d lost her virginity to, the same jean she was ready to give her life to the summer before and throughout their senior year of high school. jean looked at her, finally making eye contact with her. she thought it was her karma for what she did with eren. he didn’t say anything, instead nodded and headed back to the basement, making kodi more upset. she followed after him “all you do is run” her voice was loud, catching the attention of others.

“you want me to kiss your ass kodi?” he turned around, his voice low so the others couldn’t hear him. he felt as though he didn’t understand kodi, she was a walking mix signal in his head. kodi didn’t respond, nor did she bother looking at jean. she knew he didn’t feel the same way he claimed he did before they went off to college. a part of her hurt at this fact, knowing he didn’t value her the same way he did before. she turned around to retrieve her food from the microwave and decided to stay upstairs. she had to remind herself that kayden’s friend weren’t hers, that she could enjoy her time by herself.

when 9 o’clock approached kodi went back to the basement to get ready for bed, she wasn’t surprised when she saw all of kayden’s friends still over on the way to her room. she finished showering and slipped into a pair of joggers and an oversized T.

she walked into her living area to see jean and eren having a conversation, she stopped when they stopped talking as soon as they saw her. she looked at the both of them. “kodi, want mcdonald’s?” kayden said as he came down the stairs. she turned her attention towards him. “we finna leave” he said, kodi nodded swiftly, she wasn’t exactly hungry but a frappe would do.

“mariah and kendoll said they on the way” kayden said to both eren and jean, kodi looked at the both of them, her face unreadable. she laughed briefly before following kayden.

a/n:

trying to write this fanfiction the looking at canon eren is so funny like he’s a normal person here.

#eren jaeger #eren x black oc #bighndrxx #black reader

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shiorihyugawrites · 2 months ago

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The Devil's Bride

Aurora Jaeger, Eren's long-lost childhood friend, was taken from him when they were children. After years of suffering under Marleyan control, Aurora is reunited with Eren while he’s undercover in Marley, igniting a bond neither of them expected. Despite her gentle nature, Aurora breaks her vow of pacifism to save Eren’s life, solidifying their deep connection. Secretly married before the Raid on Liberio, Aurora is swept into Eren's world of chaos and destruction. As the Scouts learn of her existence, tensions rise on the airship home. Mikasa’s heart shatters, and Levi demands answers. And Eren will stop at nothing to protect the only light left in his dark world—his bride, Aurora.

In this journey of love, loyalty, and war, Aurora must reconcile her innocent heart with the brutal reality of the man she loves, while Eren faces the truth of what he’s become. (Eren x OC)

Chapter Twenty Two

In the heart of a secluded stronghold hidden underneath Queen Historia’s farm, the Jaegerists had gathered in a vast assembly hall. The air was thick with anticipation, a mixture of tension and exhilaration as hundreds of loyal soldiers — members of the Survey Corps, the Garrison, and the Military Police — stood shoulder to shoulder, awaiting the appearance of the man they believed would bring them salvation.

It had been mere days since the Premier’s unexpected death and Eren’s dramatic escape from his cell. Word spread quickly about his impending takeover, and soon, the ranks of the Jaegerists swelled beyond anything anyone had anticipated. The room was filled with faces marked by resolve, their eyes burning with unwavering loyalty to Eren Jaeger, the man they believed was the last hope for their island.

Floch stood at the edge of the crowd, nodding in approval as he observed the assembled soldiers. He, more than anyone, understood the lengths to which these people would go to follow Eren. Every person here was ready to stand beside him, fight for him, and die for him if necessary. Behind Floch stood Historia, silent but poised, her expression unreadable as she waited for Eren to address his followers.

Finally, a ripple of movement went through the crowd as Eren emerged from the shadows. The hall fell into a tense silence as he stepped forward, his expression intense, his green eyes sharp as they surveyed his followers. Eren was dressed in his signature black hooded jacket, his posture tall and authoritative. He seemed both larger than life and deeply grounded, his aura commanding every eye in the room to remain fixated on him.

He raised a hand, and the crowd immediately straightened, their breaths held as they waited for his words. Eren’s voice was calm but carried an edge of steel, his words resonating throughout the room.

“Today marks the beginning of our true liberation,” he began, his tone low but forceful. “For too long, Paradis has been backed into a corner, left to fend for itself against a world that would sooner see us crushed than give us a chance to defend our own lives. But we are not defenseless. We have the power to fight, and we have the will to take control of our destiny.”

The room was silent, each Jaegerist leaning in to absorb his every word, their loyalty and conviction deepening with each sentence.

“I am committed to securing a future for us — for all of you, your families, for the future generations of Paradis,” Eren continued, his voice growing stronger, his presence becoming almost magnetic. “But this won’t come without sacrifices. We have one weapon strong enough to deter the entire world: the Rumbling. And I intend to use it to its full potential.”

A murmur went through the crowd, a mixture of awe and approval rippling among them. They knew that only Eren had the courage and determination to go to such lengths. Only he was willing to bear the weight of the Rumbling and ensure that Paradis could survive without fear of annihilation.

“But there is something else,” Eren said, his voice softening slightly as he glanced to his side, where Aurora stood, her face calm but her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

Eren extended a hand, motioning for Aurora to step forward. The crowd watched intently as she took her place beside him, her platinum hair gleaming under the dim lights, her delicate features exuding a quiet strength that, for those who looked closely, mirrored Eren’s own resolve. Her presence brought a new level of curiosity to the room, as whispers began to spread through the crowd.

Eren’s voice cut through the murmurs. “This is Aurora Jaeger. My wife.” His words were clear, direct, and resolute, and they left the Jaegerists stunned, their gazes shifting between Eren and Aurora.

“She has been with me, through everything,” Eren continued, his tone tinged with a fierce protectiveness. “She’s risked her life, sacrificed everything, just as I have. And just as you stand by my side, she has stood by mine.”

Aurora’s eyes softened as she looked up at Eren, a subtle smile on her lips. Though the eyes of hundreds of people were on her, she felt safe beside him, his presence a source of strength she could draw upon. She knew the importance of this moment, the symbolic weight of being introduced to Eren’s followers as his wife.

Eren’s gaze swept over the crowd, and his expression hardened. “Aurora is to be protected at all costs. Her safety is paramount. I expect each and every one of you to ensure she is never put in harm’s way. Consider it your highest priority — as important as the mission itself.”

The room held a charged silence, each Jaegerist processing the weight of his command. To protect Aurora was to honor Eren’s wishes, to solidify their loyalty to him in the most tangible way possible.

Historia, standing near the front, raised a fist, her face alight with fervor. “For Eren! For Aurora! For Paradis!” she called, her voice echoing through the hall.

The rest of the crowd echoed his cry, their voices swelling in unison, creating a wave of energy that filled the room. “For Eren! For Aurora! For Paradis!”

Eren watched them, a grim satisfaction settling in his chest as he saw the unwavering determination in the faces of his followers. He knew these people were ready to fight for the future he envisioned — a future he could only secure by unleashing the Rumbling and destroying any threat to Paradis.

Aurora glanced over at Eren, her eyes meeting his, her expression a mix of pride and trepidation. She had never seen him like this — standing as a leader, commanding hundreds of loyal soldiers who would do anything he asked of them. Yet despite her apprehension, she felt an unshakable pride in him, in the vision he was fighting to protect.

Eren placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her with his touch. He leaned close, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “You’re safe here. They’ll protect you with their lives.”

Aurora nodded, her voice equally soft. “I trust you, Eren. I know you’ll do everything you can to keep us safe.”

Eren’s eyes softened, a rare vulnerability breaking through his fierce exterior as he looked at her. “I’ll do more than that. I’ll make sure no one ever touches a hair on your head.”

As the Jaegerists watched their leader with his wife by his side, they felt a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn’t just about securing the safety of Paradis — it was about preserving the lives of those they cared for, ensuring that they could finally live without fear of invasion or destruction. And with Eren at the helm, they believed they had a leader who would stop at nothing to make that dream a reality.

With one final look at his followers, Eren stepped back, his gaze sweeping across the room, and spoke in a voice that reverberated through every person present. “We are the Jaegerists. We are the shield and sword of Paradis. And together, we will build a future where we can finally live as free people. If we win, we live. If we lose, we die. If we don't fight, we can't win! We must fight!”

The Jaegerists erupted into a roar of approval, their voices united in loyalty and conviction. For Eren, for Aurora, and for the island they called home — they would lay down their lives, just as he would for them.

Aurora watched the crowd, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and apprehension. She knew that the road ahead would be paved with bloodshed, with sacrifices beyond what she could yet comprehend. But standing beside Eren, feeling his strength and love for her, she knew she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

…

The following day under the quiet shadows of Historia's farm, Eren sat with Floch and a few handpicked Jaegerists, discussing their next moves and the delicate matter of deflecting blame for the Premier’s death. Eren’s expression was stony, his jaw set with a grim resolve as he revealed the decision he had made.

“We need a fall guy,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of finality. “Someone loyal. Someone willing to take the blame for Zachary’s death.”

Floch’s eyes flickered, understanding the implications immediately. He leaned forward, nodding with a calculating look. “I think I know just the person. Young, dedicated, and a recent convert to our cause. He won’t question it.” Floch’s words were steady, but there was a certain unease hidden in his eyes.

Eren’s gaze bore into Floch. “Make it happen. I want this behind us by tomorrow.”

Floch’s lips tightened, and he nodded, fully understanding the burden placed on him. He would handle it. It was a necessary sacrifice, a step closer to the goal Eren had committed himself to, and by extension, one Floch had sworn to follow.

Once the others had dispersed to put Eren’s plan into motion, Aurora came forward quietly from the nearby doorway, her face pale but set with determination. She had overheard the conversation, and the reality of the sacrifice Eren was making weighed heavily on her. She bit her lip, her gaze drifting to the floor before meeting Eren’s.

“Eren… you’re really going to frame someone for this?” she asked softly, guilt gnawing at her. She knew it was her own hand, her own concoction, that had led to the Premier’s death, and the thought of someone else taking the blame made her heart ache with shame.

Eren placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his expression softening slightly. “Aurora,” he said, his voice firm yet tender, “this isn’t on you anymore. We’re too close to our goal to let this setback ruin everything. What happened was necessary, but we can’t afford for you to be implicated.”

She looked at him, uncertainty in her eyes, but she knew Eren wouldn’t be swayed. His love for her was absolute, and his willingness to protect her, even at the cost of another’s life, was unwavering. She managed a small nod, though the guilt still lingered heavily in her heart.

As they stood in silence, Floch approached again, his footsteps deliberate as he observed the pair. His expression was unreadable, but Aurora could feel his lingering gaze. She had noticed his scrutiny before — a watchfulness that unsettled her. Despite his outward respect for her and Eren’s relationship, there was something cold and cautious about the way he looked at her.

“Floch,” Eren said, breaking the silence, “we’re counting on you. Make sure this stays under control.”

Floch nodded curtly, his eyes drifting back to Aurora, and he hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Of course, Eren. I’ll make sure no one suspects anything. But…” He looked directly at Aurora, his tone carefully neutral. “You know, Mrs. Jaeger, I’ve come to understand that you’re not quite as… helpless as you might appear.”

Aurora’s expression stiffened, a hint of unease in her gaze. She didn’t respond immediately, and Eren’s own demeanor shifted, his protective instincts flaring as he stepped slightly in front of her.

“What are you getting at, Floch?” Eren asked, his voice a touch colder.

Floch held up his hands, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Nothing disrespectful, Eren. I’m just acknowledging that Aurora here is… quite resourceful. I mean, it takes a certain kind of person to concoct a poison as potent as the one that took down Zachary.”

Aurora’s jaw tightened, and she took a steadying breath, maintaining her composure. “You don’t know me, Floch,” she replied, her voice level but edged with a quiet intensity. “You might think you understand what I’m capable of, but you don’t.”

Floch’s smirk faded slightly, his gaze sharpening as he studied her, but he kept his silence, unwilling to push further. His doubts lingered, but he could sense that pressing this issue would not end well for him. If there was one thing he understood, it was that Eren’s loyalty to Aurora was unbreakable — a line he dared not cross.

“I’ll make sure everything goes according to plan,” Floch said finally, his tone respectful but cautious. “And I’ll leave you both to your business.”

As he turned and walked away, Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her tension visibly easing. She looked at Eren, a mixture of frustration and vulnerability in her eyes.

“He doesn’t trust me,” she murmured, her gaze dropping.

Eren reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “He doesn’t need to trust you,” he replied, his voice soft but resolute. “I trust you. And that’s all that matters.”

Aurora managed a small, grateful smile, her heart steadying as she held onto Eren’s words. In his presence, she felt protected and understood, even if the rest of the world looked at her with suspicion. Still, the lingering guilt remained, a weight she couldn’t easily shake.

“What if… what if this gets out of hand?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “What if they find out the truth?”

Eren’s gaze hardened, and he pulled her close, his hands resting on her shoulders. “They won’t. I’ll make sure of it. And even if they did… I would never let them hurt you.”

Aurora leaned into him, feeling the strength of his conviction, and she closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe her. In this moment, her fears faded, and she allowed herself to trust in Eren’s words, to believe that he would protect her, no matter the cost.

As night settled over the stronghold, Eren’s orders were quietly executed. The scout recruit — a young man loyal to the Jaegerists and utterly devoted to Eren’s cause — was positioned as the fall guy for the Premier’s murder. The plan was seamless, each detail meticulously orchestrated to ensure the blame would fall entirely on him. The next morning, rumors began to circulate, whispers of the supposed killer’s capture spreading throughout Paradis, satisfying the military police’s demand for justice and quelling any further investigation.

But even as the plan succeeded, Aurora’s heart remained troubled, the weight of the secret gnawing at her. She would stay by Eren’s side, no matter what, but she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held — for them, for their child, and for the people of Paradis.

…

The next day, Eren stood before the gathered Jaegerists, his sharp gaze sweeping across the ranks that had grown day by day. Floch stood at his side, while Historia, with her calm presence and quiet strength, observed from a step behind. Beside Eren, Aurora appeared composed, though a touch of apprehension flickered in her eyes. She knew what today meant—the Jaegerists’ movement was no longer just whispers in darkened hallways. Today, they would rally under Eren’s command in plain view, challenging the very foundation of Paradis’s current military leadership.

“We’re here to change the fate of this island,” Eren began, his voice low and deliberate. “To break free from the cycle that’s kept us caged, and to create a world where our children won’t grow up as prey for enemies who only want us dead. The old ways of trust and submission haven’t worked, and it’s up to us now to secure our future.”

The soldiers in the room, the Jaegerists, nodded in agreement, murmuring their assent. They looked to Eren with hope and fierce determination, but Eren’s mind was momentarily elsewhere. He couldn’t shake the image of his old friends—Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Sasha, and even Hange and Levi. They had seen the world outside the walls, lived with people who, while once considered their enemies, had shown them kindness. Eren knew they probably heard of his plans for the Rumbling by now since he revealed them to his followers and would question his decision to bring destruction to the world, but he didn’t care anymore if they knew. He had his army now.

“Historia,” Eren continued, turning to her. “The people will listen to you. They trust you—they see you as their queen, the one who freed them from the chains of tyranny.” He met her gaze, a look of trust passing between them. “I need you to show them why this is the only way. Rally them to our side, so they’ll understand that this isn’t just about us—this is about the survival of every last person on Paradis.”

Historia nodded solemnly. She knew the weight of what he was asking. “I’ll do it, Eren,” she said quietly. “They deserve to know what’s at stake. But we have to be ready for resistance. Not everyone will understand… not at first.”

Floch, with his usual fervor, added, “Once the people are behind us, the military will have no choice but to stand down. Every day, more soldiers join our cause. They know Eren is the only one willing to take the necessary steps to secure our future.”

As they continued their discussion, Eren’s attention drifted again, the faces of his friends flashing before his eyes. He knew that once the Jaegerists had full control, his friends would be the ones left standing in opposition. They, unlike the others, had seen the beauty of the world beyond Paradis when they all went to Marley for the summit for the Subjects of Ymir. They had laughed and shared meals with people from other lands. He remembered that night in the refugee camp, when they’d met Ramzi, the pickpocket boy, and glimpsed lives just as fragile and oppressed as their own, and Ramzi’s grandfather had invited them all into their camp for a night of celebration.

But for Eren, those memories only hardened his resolve. He couldn’t be swayed by moments of kindness, not when he had seen what awaited them if they did nothing. He would not allow the beauty they saw to blind him from the horrors he knew lay beyond.

“Eren,” Aurora’s gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts, grounding him back in the present. She placed a hand on his arm, her gaze steady and supportive. She knew the burdens he carried, and she trusted him. “Are you ready?”

He nodded, squeezing her hand. “I am.”

Just then, a Jaegerist approached and saluted sharply. “Eren, Commander Hange, Captain Levi, and several scouts have arrived.”

Eren’s jaw tightened, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Historia, Floch, and Aurora. The confrontation he had anticipated was here.

“It’s time,” Eren said. “Let’s meet them.”

Eren, Aurora, Floch, and Historia stepped out of the farmhouse, moving toward the growing crowd of soldiers gathered in the clearing. The Jaegerists, loyal and unwavering, formed a protective line around their leaders, a united wall of defiance against anyone who dared challenge Eren’s authority. The sun had started to descend, casting a golden glow across the tense scene, yet the air was thick with an unspoken threat, the kind that left a prickling sensation crawling across everyone’s skin.

Standing opposite them, Levi, Hange, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Sasha, and a handful of other scouts were frozen in shock, their faces pale as they took in the sheer number of Jaegerists surrounding Eren. The reality of what they were up against became painfully clear as they glanced over the rows of soldiers, realizing that the Jaegerists easily dwarfed any one military regiment. They were organized, prepared, and they were prepared to die for Eren Jaeger.

Levi’s sharp eyes darted over each Jaegerist, assessing their stances, gauging their commitment. He knew he could cut through a crowd, but he wasn’t reckless enough to think he could take on hundreds without sustaining serious damage. He clenched his fists, frustration rippling through him, though his face remained as composed as ever.

Hange took a step forward, trying to catch Eren’s eye. “Eren!” she called out, her voice echoing through the stillness. “What do you think you’re doing? You’ve formed an army under our noses!.”

Eren held her gaze, his face unreadable. He walked forward with Aurora at his side, her hand interwoven with his. He was calm, unperturbed by the accusing eyes trained on him, yet his presence held a weight that was impossible to ignore.

“We’re here to secure our future, Hange,” he replied steadily. “One where we’re not begging for scraps of freedom. I’m done waiting for the world to spare us out of kindness.”

Levi’s stare was colder than ice, his narrowed gaze zeroing in on Aurora. “And you, Mrs. Jaeger,” he said, his voice low and brimming with suspicion, “do you expect us to believe you’re innocent in all this? A mere ‘young recruit’ killing the Premier?” His tone dripped with doubt. “We’re not fools.”

Aurora met his gaze, a flicker of guilt flashing across her features before she forced herself to stand tall. She’d prepared herself for this. Eren had assured her that whatever suspicions Levi and Hange had, they wouldn’t be able to pin anything on her without evidence. Still, she could feel the weight of their distrust, and it wasn’t easy to keep her composure under Levi’s cold scrutiny.

“Believe what you want, Captain Levi,” Aurora replied, her tone firm though her voice held a hint of quiet remorse. “But I would never do anything to harm Eren’s cause. My loyalty is to him, just as yours was to humanity.” Her hand clenched around Eren’s, her silent message clear—she was with him, whatever it took.

Hange looked back and forth between them, her expression hardening. “You’re aligning yourself with someone who’s tearing this island apart, Aurora. And you’re not just risking your life; you’re risking all of ours.”

Floch stepped forward, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he folded his arms, addressing the scouts with a smug confidence. “The world has betrayed us time and time again,” he declared. “Eren’s the only one willing to do what’s necessary, and you all know it. This isn’t about ideals or dreams anymore—this is survival.”

Armin looked at Eren, his expression torn. He’d never imagined this—his best friend, the person he’d looked up to and believed in, standing against them, commanding an army of his own. “Eren… this isn’t who you are,” Armin said, his voice barely a whisper. “We can find another way. We can end this without destroying everything we’ve fought for.”

Eren’s gaze softened briefly as he looked at Armin. He didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to see the anguish etched on his friend’s face. But he also knew that Armin didn’t fully grasp the depths of the threat they faced. “Armin,” he said quietly, “I’ve seen too much to sit by and hope for peace. The world won’t change on its own. If we don’t act, we’ll be crushed.”

Mikasa stepped forward, her expression a mix of betrayal and pain. “Eren,” she murmured, her voice cracking, “I don’t understand how you could do this… How you could turn on everything we’ve believed in, everything we were fighting for together.”

Eren’s face remained impassive, though a flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes as he looked at Mikasa. He wished things could be different, wished he could explain it in a way she’d understand. But he knew she’d never see things his way. “Mikasa… this was never about us against the world. This is about saving what we have left.”

Jean clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. “And how is leading a cult of Jaegerists going to help that? You’ve gone off the deep end, Eren. You’re not saving us—you’re dragging us all down with you!”

Floch’s smirk widened as he stepped between them, his voice dripping with mockery. “You all just don’t get it, do you? The old ways failed. Eren’s taking control, and you’re either with us or against us. There’s no room for half-measures.”

Levi’s hand drifted to his blade, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the growing crowd of Jaegerists, their glares now focused on the scouts. He could feel the tension rising, and he knew a single wrong move could spark an all-out conflict. Still, his focus remained on Eren. “Is this what you wanted, Eren?” he asked, his voice cold. “To divide us? To throw away every bond we’ve fought to protect?”

Eren’s eyes flickered, a glimmer of regret showing just briefly before he hardened his resolve. “All I wanted was freedom, Captain. I wanted a life where we didn’t have to live in fear. If that means I have to become the enemy to secure that future, then so be it.”

Historia, who had been standing quietly beside Eren, finally stepped forward, her voice soft but steady. “This isn’t about division, Captain Levi. It’s about making sure our people have a future. Eren may be leading this movement, but he’s not the only one who believes in this cause. I believe in it too.”

Her words sent a shock through the scouts, especially Armin, who stared at her in disbelief. “Historia… I never thought you’d stand behind this.”

She met his gaze, her expression unyielding. “I’m not blind to the consequences, Armin. But I refuse to stand by and watch as my people are led to slaughter. This is about survival.”

Connie, who had been silent until now, looked between Eren and Historia, his face a mixture of anger and confusion. “You’re talking about survival, but this… this feels like betrayal. You’re turning on the very people who’ve protected you.”

Eren let out a heavy sigh, his eyes dark with determination. “I didn’t turn on anyone. I chose the only path I could see to protect the people I love.”

Aurora looked up at Eren, her heart aching at the weight he bore. She reached out and took his hand, her grip reassuring. She understood his pain, even if she couldn’t fully grasp the enormity of his plans. He was willing to risk everything for her, for their future, and she would stand by him no matter what.

Hange took a step back, her gaze weary. “If this is truly the path you’re choosing, then I don’t know if we can follow you anymore, Eren.” Her voice cracked with sadness as she looked at him, a friend who had once been a beacon of hope, now standing as a force of fear.

Eren remained silent, the weight of her words settling on him. He knew he couldn’t turn back, couldn’t falter. Not now.

Levi’s eyes were cold and sharp as he looked from Eren to Aurora, then back to the Jaegerists gathered around them. “Then it seems we’re at an impasse.” He glanced at Hange and the others, his voice carrying an air of finality. “We’ll step back for now. But don’t think this is over.”

The scouts turned to leave, their steps heavy with the knowledge that a line had been drawn, and they were on opposing sides. As they walked away, Eren watched them go, a strange mixture of sorrow and resolve etched on his face.

Historia placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. “They’ll understand someday, Eren. Maybe not now, but someday.”

Eren nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on the retreating figures of his friends. He didn’t know if they’d ever understand, but he couldn’t allow himself to hope for that. He had made his choice, and he would carry it through—whatever the cost.

…

Levi stormed into the scout headquarters, his jaw clenched and his fists tight by his sides, every step radiating a barely controlled fury. The scouts followed behind him, silent and uneasy, acutely aware of the gravity of the situation they were facing. Levi had seen countless betrayals, unimaginable horrors, and lost comrades, but this—this betrayal by Eren and the Jaegerists—cut deep, almost like a wound too fresh to be acknowledged.

The moment they reached the briefing room, Levi turned sharply to face the scouts, his eyes flashing. “Half of the Survey Corps—gone,” he hissed, pacing in a tight circle. “Jaegerists. I’d expect a few defectors, maybe. But half of our damn regiment?”

Hange, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s the same with the other regiments. The Garrison, the Military Police... Even Commander Pyxis was watching everything unfold with a strange sense of resignation. Eren didn’t just start a rebellion; he’s practically built an empire from within.”

Mikasa and Armin, standing side by side, exchanged a worried look. Mikasa’s fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white as she tried to make sense of everything. She didn’t want to believe that Eren could do this, could turn on everything they’d once stood for.

“Captain, there must be another way to reach him,” Armin pleaded, his voice soft but insistent. “If we can just talk to him, get him alone and away from… all of them.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Aurora… maybe she’s been influencing him, maybe even manipulating him.”

Levi shook his head, his expression hard and unyielding. “Armin, this isn’t just about who Eren’s listening to. He’s made his choice all on his own. He escaped from his cell, nearly killed the two of you, and he doesn’t give a damn about any of us anymore. His loyalty is to his own twisted version of freedom and to Aurora. Nothing more.”

Jean, who had been quiet up until now, cleared his throat. “Levi’s right, Armin. Look at what he did in Liberio. He didn’t just destroy their military; he purposely leveled civilian homes and slaughtered innocents. And Aurora…” He shook his head, unable to hide the disgust in his voice. “She killed Premier Zachary and walked away without a shred of guilt. They’re both two psychopaths who are too far gone.”

Hange pushed off from the wall, rubbing her temples. “The Premier’s murder… we can’t ignore that, either. I knew Eren could be ruthless, but this…?” Her voice trailed off, laden with sadness and betrayal.

Connie’s face twisted with frustration, the internal conflict evident in his expression. “Eren’s always been willing to go to extreme lengths, sure. But he was our friend. There has to be something worth saving in him.”

Levi’s gaze shifted to Connie, hard and unflinching. “We don’t have the luxury of clinging to that ‘something’ anymore. Eren has his own army now. Hundreds of Jaegerists, ready to follow him to the ends of the earth. He’s got Floch, Historia, and even his damned wife rallying people to his side.” He spat the words with a vehemence that underscored his deep resentment. “If we don’t act now, he’ll tear down everything we’ve fought to protect.”

Armin looked down, wrestling with the turmoil brewing inside him. “So… you’re saying we have to kill him?” The weight of the question seemed to crush him as he forced himself to meet Levi’s gaze.

Levi’s face was unreadable as he took a steadying breath. “I don’t want it to come to that, but if that’s what it takes to stop him from slaughtering the world, then yes. We have no choice.” His tone was cold and final. “We feed him to someone we can trust.”

Mikasa’s face turned pale, her eyes widening with shock. “Captain, you can’t… we can’t just kill Eren. He’s not a monster! He’s still our friend! If we just—”

“Mikasa.” Levi’s voice was sharp, cutting through her protests with a tone that demanded attention. “You saw what he did in Liberio, what he almost did to Armin and you when he broke out. This isn’t about friendship anymore. Eren is a threat. A threat to everyone on this island.”

Jean stepped forward, his voice bitter but resolute. “Eren’s only thinking of himself, Mikasa. Whatever he’s doing, it’s not for Paradis or for us, it’s for himself and Aurora. That’s it. If we don’t stop him, he’ll destroy everything we’ve worked to protect.”

Mikasa’s fists clenched tighter, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to hold back her frustration. She understood what they were saying, could see the truth in their words, but accepting it felt like betrayal. “But he’s still Eren… if we just had more time—”

“We’re out of time,” Levi snapped, his voice colder than ever. “Eren’s not invincible. He won’t have his Jaegerist army around him every second. If I have to cut off his head myself, I will. Then we’ll have someone else take his power, someone who isn’t hell-bent on genocide.”

Armin took a shaky breath, glancing at Mikasa, whose expression was etched with pain. “But who would we give it to?”

Levi’s face darkened, a hint of frustration flashing in his eyes. “Someone who isn’t planning to tear down the world, that’s all I care about. We’ll figure out the details later, but right now, we need to find an opportunity. One slip, one moment, and we take him down. If he wants to be the devil, then we’ll deal with him like one.”

Hange, arms crossed, looked away, her jaw clenched. She’d always believed in Eren’s potential, in his spirit to fight against injustice. But now… she wasn’t sure what remained of the boy she once knew. “Levi… I hate this. But if we don’t act, the blood that’s spilled will be on our hands too.”

Connie and Sasha exchanged troubled glances, the weight of Levi’s words pressing down on them, hardening their resolve. They couldn’t stand by and watch as their friend became something unrecognizable, someone willing to destroy the world for his own vision of freedom.

But in the back of the room, Armin and Mikasa stood in silence, grappling with the reality of what Levi had just proposed. For Mikasa, the idea of harming Eren felt like tearing out a part of herself, a betrayal that went beyond words. Yet the haunted look in her eyes betrayed her growing fear—that they might not have any other choice.

Levi surveyed them all, his gaze steely and unwavering. “We move forward with this plan. We’ll find a way to end this, whatever it takes. Eren’s made his choice. Now we have to make ours.”

…

Meanwhile back at Historia’s farm, Eren stood in the center of the dimly lit room, a mixture of urgency and frustration etched into his expression as he went over plans with Floch and Historia. They were painfully aware that the threat to their mission wasn’t just Marley or the outside world. Levi and the others, the very people he once fought beside, were now just as much a danger. And Levi… Levi was the most formidable threat of all.

“He’s not just another soldier,” Eren said, his voice low and laced with intensity. “Levi’s fought more Titans than anyone. I’ve seen him take down more Titans in minutes than most can manage in their lifetime. It doesn’t matter if he’s alone—if he comes after me, he’ll be a problem, especially if he knows about the War Hammer Titan’s weaknesses.”

Floch nodded grimly. “We can overwhelm him with numbers. If it’s all the Jaegerists against one, he’ll lose eventually. But at what cost?” He hesitated, his face clouding. “He’d take down dozens, maybe hundreds, before we even have a chance to stop him. It’d be bloody, a massacre.”

Historia frowned, her brows knitting together. “We need to think this through. Levi’s not the kind of person we can outsmart with brute force. It’ll require a strategy, something more than just throwing soldiers at him.”

They fell silent, each of them wrestling with the realization that they were preparing to go up against someone who, in a way, had become almost mythical within the ranks. Levi Ackerman wasn’t just another soldier; he was Humanity’s Strongest, an unstoppable force. Eren clenched his fists, his frustration mounting as the weight of the situation sank in.

That’s when Aurora, who had been quietly listening at the edge of the room, took a step forward. All eyes turned to her, surprise flashing across their faces. She’d been listening, calculating, assessing. Now, she spoke, her voice steady and firm.

“I can handle Captain Levi,” she said simply, her gaze unwavering as she looked directly at Eren.

The room fell into a stunned silence. Floch’s jaw dropped slightly, his eyes widening in disbelief. Historia’s mouth parted as though she wanted to respond, but words failed her. And Eren… Eren looked as if he’d just heard the most ludicrous, impossible statement.

“Aurora…” Eren’s voice was low, almost a growl. “No. Absolutely not.”

Aurora didn’t back down. Her gaze was fierce, a fire in her eyes that none of them had seen before. “Listen to me, Eren. Levi’s a threat—a direct threat to you and everything we’re trying to accomplish. If we don’t neutralize him, he’ll come for you eventually. I know you don’t want to risk lives… but that’s exactly why I’m offering.”

Floch broke in, his voice laced with incredulity. “Aurora, I don’t mean any disrespect, but… we’re talking about Captain Levi here. Humanity’s Strongest Soldier. Do you really think you can—”

“Yes, I do,” she interrupted, her tone fierce and unyielding. “Levi might be stronger and faster than I am, but strength isn’t the only thing that matters. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve spent years under the worst conditions, forced to survive on wit alone. I have a plan. Levi might be the strongest, but he’s not infallible.”

Eren’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, his frustration bubbling over. “Aurora, I am not letting you go after him. Levi isn’t someone who’ll hesitate. If he sees you as a threat, he won’t care if you’re pregnant. He’ll kill you.”

Aurora stepped closer to him, her voice softening but remaining resolute. “And I won’t let him take you from me. You’re everything to me, Eren. If I have to do this to keep you safe, then I will.”

Eren’s heart twisted at her words, at the intensity of her conviction. She’d already shown him how far she was willing to go, the lengths she’d go to protect him, but this—this was different. “Aurora… if he even suspects what you’re planning, he’ll strike before you get the chance.”

She placed a hand on his arm, looking up at him with a mix of determination and reassurance. “Trust me, Eren. I have thought this through. I wouldn’t risk it if I didn’t believe I could succeed. Levi’s a soldier, a warrior, but I… I know how to think in ways he might not expect. I can outwit him.”

Floch, still reeling, finally found his voice. “You’re serious about this. You’re really going to go up against Captain Levi?”

She turned her gaze to Floch, and for a moment, her expression was unreadable, a hint of something fierce and dangerous flickering in her eyes. “Yes. If it means protecting Eren and our future, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Historia, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke, her voice laced with a mix of admiration and concern. “Aurora… I understand your loyalty, but this is a tremendous risk. Are you absolutely sure?”

Aurora met Historia’s gaze, nodding. “Yes. I know what I’m doing.”

Eren took a deep breath, his voice tight with emotion. “Aurora, this isn’t just about Levi. This is about you, our baby and the life we’re building. I can’t… I won’t let you throw yourself into danger for my sake.”

Aurora’s expression softened as she reached up, cupping his face gently. “Eren, I made a vow when we married. I chose to be with you, to stand by you no matter the cost. This is my choice, and I’m not backing down.”

Eren’s heart thundered in his chest, torn between the fierce love he felt for her and the instinct to keep her safe at all costs. But he could see it in her eyes, the determination, the unbreakable resolve. She wasn’t asking for permission; she was making a decision.

Finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly. “If this is what you’re set on… then I trust you. But please, Aurora, don’t take unnecessary risks. I need you safe.”

She smiled, her fingers brushing gently across his cheek. “I promise, Eren. I’ll do what needs to be done, but I won’t risk myself needlessly. I’ll be back for you.”

Floch’s gaze shifted between them, still shaken by what he’d just heard. But beneath his initial shock, there was a flicker of something else—an understanding that Eren and Aurora were more alike than he’d realized. Both were willing to cross unimaginable lines for each other, to do whatever it took to achieve their vision of freedom and protection.

As Aurora pulled away, a sense of calm settled over her, a quiet strength radiating from within. She was ready. Levi might be Humanity’s Strongest Soldier, but she was driven by something deeper, something Levi would never understand.

Eren watched her go, his chest tight with a mix of fear and pride. He knew Aurora was capable, knew she was determined, but he couldn’t shake the gnawing worry that this plan might cost them more than they anticipated.

But if there was one thing he knew, it was that Aurora, his wife, would do everything in her power to protect him, just as he would for her.

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erenyuuta · 2 years ago

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Ice & Fire - Chapter 12

Series Masterlist

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Glossary & Character List (contains spoilers)

Main Pairing: Eren Jaeger X Yuuta Okkotsu

Minor Pairings: Megumi Fushiguro x Rika Orimoto, Satoru Gojo x Suguru Geto, Toji x OC, other pairings TBA for the sake of spoilers ❤️

Genre: Fantasy AU, romance, smut, angst, fluff, a crossover between Attack On Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen, loosely influenced by Game of Thrones and Eragon. Crack taken seriously 😉

Series Summary: Yuuta Okkotsu, the kind-hearted firstborn prince of the kingdom of Nymeria, finds himself stranded on an island that had been thought to only exist in legend. It is there he meets the last of the Valyrians, a dragon-blood named Eren Jaeger. While their days on the island are happy, they can’t last forever. Yuuta has a duty as prince to his kingdom that he must fulfill, and it is this duty that ultimately tears them apart.

Content Warnings/Themes: BL/Yaoi, hybrids, monsters, magic and other supernatural elements, polytheism (gods, demons), infidelity, power imbalances & classism, period-typical misogyny & homophobia, warfare, graphic depictions of violence and death, brothels/sex work, explicit sexual content (blow job, anal sex, rimming, cunnilingus, exhibitionism, monsterfucking, knotting, foot play, heat cycles, 69, cum-eating, spit play, deep-throating, double penetration, sadism, masochism, blood consumption, use of weapons during sex, choking/asphyxiation kink, master/slave kink, handjob, drunk sex, orgy), dub-con, non-con, pregnancy, virginity loss, drugs (alcohol, smoking, poisons), traumatic backstories, mentions of torture/genocide/experimentation on people, unrequited love, arranged marriages, drowning, murder, suicide, yandere tropes, corruption arc, major character deaths

Co-written by Aleks from @alekstraszas and Kana from @ficsforeren/@sundaysundaes

The poster for this chapter was commissioned by Aleks from @/belvishaio on twitter

The Illusion of Love

It is sometime later during that first week of his training, when Eren, flocked by Megumi and Todo at his sides, makes his way towards the servants’ quarters. He typically never has reasons to go this way, as he’s still very much treated as if he were a high-ranking noble within Yuuta’s palace (at the prince’s insistence), but today, he comes along at Megumi’s request.

“Why are we going to help with the deliveries? Isn’t that something the servants would do?” Eren asks aloud.

“Well, yes, but yesterday the farmer mentioned that there would be an especially large delivery today, so he needs all the hands he can get,” Megumi replies.

Megumi doesn’t offer much more of an explanation; he’s a man of few words, as Eren has come to learn over the last few weeks. If it wasn’t for his behavior in the company of Princess Rika, Eren would wonder if Megumi ever spoke at all.

When they arrive outside the servants' quarters, stopping at the side of the palace in which the farmers and craftsmen make their deliveries, they see a tall young female servant carrying small carts of vegetables. She has long black hair that cascades over the plain cloth dress she wears, rosy pale skin, and eyes that shimmer a golden yellow. To anyone else above her station, she would have just been another servant girl who worked in the kitchens, as besides her cheery personality, nothing remotely unique stands out about her. But Eren is able to recognize her right away—if only because of Aoi Todo’s having taken a liking to her. Or rather, a borderline obsession.

“Lady Takada!” Todo calls out to her, and it is obvious by the way she hesitates and squints that his calling is unwelcome, not that he would understand the meaning of her gestures (or if he does, he ignores it). He rushes ahead of the men, and with his burly arms, quickly scoops up the crate she had been dragging toward the doorway. “You shouldn’t carry such heavy things. Let me take these for you, my lady.”

“Ah,” she smiles, though it looks rather forced, as she bows her head. “Thank you, Ser Todo.”

Todo is in such a rush to help her that he ignores the farmer who had been standing nearby offloading crates of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Takada takes a few cloth bags of persimmons from the cart brought by the farmer as she walks with Todo away from the group, bringing their handful of foods to the kitchens. She peeks into the bag and notes to herself with a smile that the persimmons are quite beautifully ripened, shining with their bright orange skins—the perfect fruit for the beginning of the fall season.

When Megumi and Eren arrive, trailing behind Todo, the farmer looks up in their direction. Recognition dawns on his features, a smile breaking out over his lips as his soft brown eyes lock onto Megumi.

“Fushiguro!” The farmer calls out. Eren’s never seen him before. He’s a young man, just a tad shorter than Megumi, with blonde spiky hair and distinctively tanned skin—the marking of a man who works in the sun.

“Itadori,” Megumi greets the man. “Still need our help?”

“Yeah! The palace has ordered so much food since the prince returned. Is there a banquet happening or something?” he starts. Megumi shrugs as Yuuji points a thumb in the direction of the entrance. “By the way, who was that guy with Lady Takada just now?”

“Oh, Todo?” Megumi asks, disinterested. “He’s another one of the knights. He loses focus whenever Lady Takada’s around… He’s somehow convinced she will marry him.”

“Oh?” Yuuji’s eyebrows lift up in surprise. He speaks to Lady Takada often, as she works solely in the kitchens and assists in his deliveries, and has heard nothing of the sort. “She has never spoken of being betrothed.”

Megumi’s flatline expression doesn’t even waiver when he replies, “That’s because she’s not. She rejected him. Many times.”

Yuuji frowns as if Todo’s unsuccessful pursuit of love wounds him personally. “Poor guy.”

It is then that Yuuji’s eyes wander to Megumi’s side as he sets down the cart of goods he had in his arms. He notices Eren standing beside the knight, and his very first reaction is to be shocked at Eren’s stature.

“Who’s this big guy? I’ve never seen him before.” Yuuji asks, craning his neck to meet Eren’s gaze. Though Yuuji is a man of average height, Eren and Todo are more than a head above his stature, something he notices with both of them right away.

Eren replies to the farmer with his name, his voice surprisingly deep and his accent quite thick. He says nothing else—despite how he never seems to be able to shut his mouth around Yuuta, Eren is the opposite around strangers: observant, and rather quiet. He never knows how they may react to him, the only dragon the realm has ever known, so he nods and gives up nothing but his name.

Yuuji’s perplexed by his accent, his brows threading as he questions what he hears. “Are you from another kingdom? You don’t sound Nymerian. Wait!” Eren’s eyes widen while the farmer raises a hand, the dragon confused as Yuuji shouts. The farmer’s eyes sparkle with recognition. “You must be that… that… what did they call it?” He pauses for a moment as he squints, stroking his chin with a perplexed hand.

Eren parts his lips, beginning to speak. “Drago—”

Yuuji suddenly clasps his hands together, finding the word he was searching for: “Lizard!”

Eren frowns. “Lizard?”

Megumi quickly clears his throat, stifling a laugh, as Yuuji gets more animated than ever. Though Megumi himself had thought the same thing upon first seeing Eren’s dragon form, he would never say the thought out loud.

“Yes! The whole village’s been talking about it!” Yuuji makes a gesture with his hands, flattening them out and pushing them through the air as if he were about to dive into a pool of water. “The massive green-eyed lizard-man that flew through the sky and brought home our prince! It’s amazing! My father, he saw you fly over our land with himself. You’ll have to fly again someday because I missed it and I wish to see it with my own eyes.”

“And where were you?” Megumi asks.

“On the toilet,” Yuuji shrugs.

Though it is not as if Eren is walking around advertising that he is a dragon, the nearby village spreads rumors faster than in a blink of an eye. Soldiers who come and go from the palace, the City Watch, servants, laymen—over the last few weeks, all of them have spoken the tale of the day a dragon swooped in from outside the realm with the missing prince on its back, only for it to transform into a man himself. Who else would this incredibly tall man, new to the infantry yet strong enough to be placed as the Lord Commander’s esquire, with an accent Yuuji had never heard of be, if not the dragon?

“I didn’t realize I was the talk of the town,” Eren says. “They’re all wrong though. I’m not a lizard. I’m a dragon. From Valyria.”

“Is that a village in the west or something?” Yuuji blinks.

Eren, annoyed, opens his mouth but Megumi speaks before Eren can utter a word, in an attempt to keep the peace. “Let’s just get everything inside, yeah? You can chat later.”

Despite Yuuji’s confusion and Eren’s glare, the three men lift the wooden crates of fruits and vegetables, carrying them over the threshold of the entryway and into the kitchens. It is there that they find Lady Takada and Ser Todo in the middle of a conversation, Todo with his big, burly shoulders sunken downward.

“I’m sorry, Ser,” she says, now with an audience. She bows her head apologetically. “But I’ve told you before… I’m already in love with someone, my lord.”

The maid moves on, leaving the awkward atmosphere in the kitchens as the men who had just walked in had to stumble upon Todo’s rejection. Todo, despite it not being the first time she's done so, has eyes dampened with tears as he faces his fellow knights. Eren and Megumi are used to such a sight, ignoring the conversation to stack their vegetable crates amongst the other items in the kitchens.

Yuuji, frozen at the sight of Todo’s rejection, catches Todo’s line of sight. At once, Todo calls to him with an accusatory finger, “You, farmer.”

“Y-Yes?” Yuuji looks panicked at once, the crates in his arms feeling heavier with Todo’s stare. Todo’s so much bigger than him, a fist to the face could knock him out cold.

“Lady Takada always says she’s in love with another man, yet she never says their name. What do you think? Do you think she means me?”

Megumi and Eren, from behind Todo and out of Todo’s sight, signal to Yuuji with their hands to nod and play along to Todo’s game, as they always do. But Yuuji, ever oblivious, ignores their gestures.

“No, man,” Yuuji replies, to Todo’s surprise and the other knights’ horror. “If it were you, you’d know it. I think you’re just going about this all wrong. It takes more than just a proposal to woo a lady.”

“What do you know about wooing a lady?” Megumi asks.

“Well—nothing, actually, since I’ve never tried. But if I were to try it would be with flowers and praise, prostrating myself before her like worshiping a goddess. You have to wonder if you are even worthy of her glance before thinking about asking for her hand in marriage!”

“What nonsense are you on abou—”

“Wow,” Todo gapes. “This farmer has to be an expert on women.” He grabs Yuuji’s hand, albeit way too tight, and gives it a shake so hard Yuuji's entire arm moves with it. “Tell me…”

Todo looks expectantly at Yuuji, waiting for him to fill in the gap. “Yuuji. Itadori Yuuji.”

“Itadori Yuuji, tell me. What is your ideal woman?”

Megumi, exasperated, slaps the heel of his palm against his face. Eren grumbles, “Not this again.”

Yuuji’s eyes light up as if he had pondered the answer to this question his entire life. His voice takes on a mystical quality as he answers, staring up at the ceiling wistfully. “A woman with eyes as blue as a cloudless sky and hair shining gold like the summer sun. Fair, smooth skin, like an angel had dropped down from the heavens. Oh, and best of all—a huge ass.”

“Gods, he’s helpless,” Megumi mutters.

“Amazing,” Todo utters, in pure unadulterated joy. “What a man of taste you are, Itadori Yuuji.”

“What do you lot know about women anyway?” A voice breaks through the small gathering forming in the kitchen, the source somewhere across the expansive room. When the men turn towards the sound, they see another knight of the same rank as Todo, Kinji Hakari, walking into the room with amusement prominent across his features. “If I had to wager, you’re all a bunch of virgins.”

“Not everyone wants to lose their virtue to a common whore in the Dryads, Ser Hakari,” Megumi replies instantly, a bite to his words. Though, with the flush on his cheeks, it seems as if his mind is somewhere else, or perhaps, with someone. “We’re busy enough as it is with training. Or at least, we should be.”

“Well in my case, I’m saving it for the day I meet a special lady. Women care about that, you know.” Yuuji says, his thumb pointed to the center of his chest, proud of his noble pursuit in saving himself for the day he meets the perfect woman.

“I wonder if Lady Takada cares about that too,” Todo murmurs, mostly to himself.

Eren ventures to stay quiet this once. Though he has never done so with a woman, he is most certainly not a man of virtue. But he knows saying that out loud will reward him with too many questions he doesn’t wish to answer.

“Listen to yourselves,” Hakari crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re talking like a bunch of pussies. Just down a pint in Tyrrosh, spend a couple of gold coins, and get it over with at the Dryads.” He wags a finger in Yuuji’s direction, “Women don’t care about virtue. Hell, the more experienced you are, the more you can please them. Doesn’t that sound more like pleasing a goddess, blondie?”

Both Todo and Yuuji marvel at Hakari’s words, as if he had just imparted the most harrowing of wisdom upon them.

“And what’s the Lord of Tyrrosh’s son doing spending his off days in town when he could marry any noble lady he could wish for?” Megumi asks him. It is true that Hakari, being of noble blood, could have spent his days being an Earl or a Lord, pissing away his money and surrounding himself with luxuries instead of joining the infantry. And Megumi, who perhaps spends more time than he should pondering how his life would have turned out if he were of noble blood, has always wondered why Hakari would squander it.

Hakari brings a hand to the back of his head, scratching it as he mutters, “What are you, my father?” A round of laughter is heard amongst the men in the room before Hakari adds, his tone a bit more serious, “I wanted to be more than just some Lord wandering around Tyrrosh with nothing but my wealth.” He turns towards Megumi, his dark eyes meeting Megumi’s greens. “Maybe you’re too young to remember, but when Princess Yuuri was captured and murdered—that was the first time Nymeria had ever been attacked like that in hundreds of years. I was a teenager then but I couldn’t sit back and watch. I’m sure it was the same for you, Todo.”

Todo nods. “Though I’m from a smaller house, it was the same for me. Drican stealing our beautiful princess from right under our noses—despicable. I joined the infantry right away.”

“Ah, so it wasn’t all about impressing the ladies, then,” Yuuji muses.

“Well,” Hakari shrugs, a smile dancing across his lips. “Having the ladies fawn over us is a bonus.”

As Hakari, Todo, and Yuuji continue their chat, Eren is surprised out of his stupor to hear Megumi’s voice directed at him.

“You don’t believe all those things they say about impressing women with experience, do you, Eren?” It’s rare that Megumi is the one to initiate conversation—so rare Eren wonders if it’s the first time, even.

“Hmm… Well, if it’s someone you love—”

“W-who said anything about love?” Megumi huffs, a warmth crawling up his neck. Certainly, he was not entertaining any thoughts about love—or any person in particular, for that matter. He was only… curious… if all ladies had such sensibilities. There was definitely not a specific person who came to the forefront of his mind. At least, not one whom he would admit to thinking about even by the threat of a dagger to the neck. He adds, seeing Eren’s scrutinizing look, “It was simply a thought.”

Eren quirks a brow but doesn’t comment on Megumi’s floundering. “Is that not why you would want to bed someone? Because you love them?”

“Well… I guess, but not always,” Megumi gestures towards the other men in the room, who are currently speaking of one of Hakari’s many conquests. Anything to get Eren’s eyes off of his face which grows more flushed by the second. “Like Ser Hakari said, often these men do it just for pleasure."

“Well, in that case, perhaps they would prefer experience?” Eren shrugs. “I never really thought about doing anything like that. I’d only be interested in lying with someone I had feelings for.”

Megumi’s normally stoic look is replaced with one of genuine shock. “Really? Every soldier I’ve met always talks about women as if they were things to be conquered. I thought I was the strange one for not having an interest in their competitions.”

Eren shows Megumi an earnest smile. “I guess we’re alike in that way, then. It’s not something to be ashamed of. I think if there are feelings between you and the person you want to be with, it would be even more special if you were each other’s firsts. When you love someone, and they save that part of themselves for you, it’s—” Eren quickly realizes by the scrutinizing look in Megumi’s eyes that he may be getting carried away, and he stutters. “I-I just imagine it would be special to share that with the person you love.”

Megumi stays silent for a moment, absorbing Eren’s words. Then, “Eren… Do you—”

“Fushiguro! And the lizard-man!” Yuuji calls out from the doorway, waving an arm in the air to grab their attention. “There’s still some more food to bring to the kitchens. If you could lend a hand.”

“It’s dragon,” Eren grumbles, turning to the blond. Louder, he adds, “Just call me Eren!”

“Fine, Eren, if you would so kindly lend a hand,” Yuuji beckons him with a hand outside. Eren begins to move forward while Megumi finds himself staring at his back. For a moment he wonders just how would Eren know those types of feelings without having experienced them himself. And when he, too, resumes helping the farmer with the delivery, his mind wanders back to his princess, as it inevitably sometimes does. With a frown, he realizes that perhaps he may have a reason for understanding those feelings too.

***

It is one crisp autumn day, the greens of Nymeria’s lush landscape tinting shades of orange and brown as the fall settles in. Yuuta spends the afternoon with his advisors discussing matters of the realm. His dragon, as is typical of him when he is not training with the infantry, spends his time alone. Today, he opts to spend it in the solar. The room is large and open, with beautiful views of the scenery surrounding the palace—reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn. Warm sunlight pours in through the windows. Though this room is typically one of those spaces saved for the nobility of the palace, Yuuta has given his explicit permission for Eren’s presence. It is here that they often spend some time alone, and it is here that Eren feels most comforted in Yuuta’s absence.

Eren sits at a wooden table, seeds and berries spread before him on its surface. He smiles to himself as his companion for the afternoon—the small Valyrian bird that Yuuta had so affectionately named Vhagar—chirps away, picking at the seeds and taking apart the sweet berries with the tip of his black pointed beak.

“I stole them from the kitchen,” he snickers, pinching a berry between his fingers. “I know they aren’t as sweet as our kasta berries but I hope you like them, Vha—”

“Who are you talking to?”

Eren jolts in his seat, surprised to hear a soft feminine voice breaking through the quietude of the solar. When he looks in the voice’s direction, his eyes grow wide in surprise as he realizes he’s face-to-face with the princess. He stands from his seat immediately, as if he were a child caught doing something naughty.

“Good afternoon, princess,” Eren says in greeting. His eyes quickly dip down to the table where Vhagar sits munching away at the seeds. Eren picks up the bird and hides it between his large palms. “I-I was just talking to myself.”

Rika giggles at his antics. She walks closer to his table, her soft lilac dress swaying with each step. She looks regal, as always, with her long brown hair styled perfectly, and her dress ornamented with pins and beautifully stitched designs. A thin golden circlet rests on her crown just behind her bangs—a piece of jewelry to signify her status, as is custom.

“You don’t have to hide the little guy,” she says. “I’ve caught my brother talking to him too. You two spent a little too long on that island, didn’t you? Talking to birds as if they are people.”

Eren lets the bird back down to the table with a nervous laugh. “Perhaps.” As Rika comes up to stand beside him, he notices that she holds a book in her arms. “Are you here to read, Your Highness? I’m sorry if I am disturbing you.”

Rika’s smile is as charming as ever as she gestures for Eren to sit back down. Little does he know the way her heart leaps in her chest as she gets excited over the chance to finally speak to the dragon alone. She would not admit it aloud, but something about him has piqued her interest from the moment she met him. A mixture of his handsome looks and his strange mannerisms, perhaps. Or, maybe it is the fact that he is someone new to the kingdom, that she wishes to understand him, to be able to read him as easily as she can read about and understand the men in her romance novels. He’s different from all the men she’s met before—and different is interesting.

“Nonsense, Eren. Don’t worry about me. We can sit together, actually. I don’t mind.”

Eren nods, sitting back down in his seat. “Thank you, princess.”

They both sit beside each other, Rika settling comfortably into the chair as she opens the book over her lap. Eren, curious, opens his mouth to speak. “What kind of books do you read, princess?”

When she turns toward Eren, his big green eyes are so earnest and soft as he stares at her. She finds his questioning gaze really cute. Noblemen always look at her as if she were less than them, judgment and secrecy amongst other feelings radiating from them, but Eren naturally has such honest emotions in his stare. His mannerisms are incredibly endearing, even more so up close.

“U-um…” She stutters, lost in the childlike wonder held in his gaze. “I like to read a lot of romance stories… I hope that doesn’t sound too strange.”

“I wouldn’t have pinned you for a romantic, Your Highness.”

Rika quirks a brow. “And why’s that?”

“Your brother always speaks about relationships within the kingdom as if they are simply duty. It doesn’t sound like your people are very romantic.”

She giggles at his words. If any other man had spoken such a thing, it’d come across as an insult. But from Eren, it’s simply an observation.

“Well, it is true that for people like me and my brother, we don’t have the luxury of falling in love with a person of our choosing,” Rika says it so matter-of-fact, but to Eren, hearing this fact repeated again and again always feels like a knife to the chest. “But I like to dream sometimes that one day things could be different. Reading novels feels like getting to play pretend for a little while. I think falling in love is beautiful. Even if you can’t be together, that feeling of loving another person, it’s what everyone hopes for, right? I mean… Perhaps it is just me…” She trails off, worried that she has been rambling to a man who wouldn’t care for such feeble emotions. But Eren only nods in agreement, his features expressing both understanding and sympathy.

“Does it always have to be that way? Duty over love?” Eren asks.

“I’m not sure if Yuuta has learned of this yet, but the young king of Seomor—Hajime—he recently took a commoner as his wife.” At this, Eren’s face melds into earnest surprise. Rika nods, “It wasn’t without opposition, of course. None of the nobles were happy about it. There were many noblewomen who could have married him. But he had fallen for one of the maids in the palace, and refused to take any other woman as his wife.”

“That sounds very courageous of him,” Eren replies.

“It was. He had to defy his council and reject many women’s hands to marry her. I attended their wedding last spring before I returned to Nymeria. They looked so happy as they spoke their vows. I’d never seen Hajime smile as much in all my years in Seomor than how much he did that day.” Rika smiles as she remembers the royal wedding of Hajime and his maid-turned-queen. “I wish that one day I could have that for myself… Commoner or not, I want to feel that kind of joy and love with someone.”

Eren’s eyes are trained on his fingers on the table, the fingertips brushing over one another to soothe the feelings that well up in his chest. He can’t help but remember just how happy he had been the day he had traded vows with Yuuta. Though he’s itching to say it aloud, he doesn’t. Instead, he simply says, “Yes. I wish that for you, princess. And for your brother.”

“I wish it for Yuuta too… But soon he will be crowned. I’m not sure if it can be helped, Eren. Since I won’t be the crowned heir anymore, I hope that maybe Yuuta will let me delay it for a while longer. He’s promised me he won’t force me to wed… Yuuta’s such a kind brother,” Rika smiles fondly. “I have hopes… Yuuta does not have much of a say in his betrothal but… there’s hope for me, I think.”

“What if your brother wanted to be like Hajime? To marry someone he shouldn’t?”

“Has he said anything like that to you?”

Eren averts his gaze from Rika’s as he lies. “No… I just… wonder…” His words fade as he looks at the table pensively.

“Hajime had to be strong-willed to do what he did. My brother, he has always been weak-hearted,” Rika replies.

Eren frowns—he doesn’t think that Rika’s words are true at all. Eren feels as if he is the one who is weaker of the heart than Yuuta, knowing how easily he succumbs to his emotions.

She continues, “I would be surprised to hear of him defying our traditions like that, Eren.”

“I see…”

Rika reaches out toward Vhagar, smoothing one of her fingers over the soft feathers on the bird’s head. The bird chirps in delight at her touch.

“You sound so saddened by my brother’s situation. Does it bother you?”

Eren scratches his cheek with one of his fingers, looking away to avoid her gaze once more. If there’s anything about the princess, it seems as if she always knows exactly what to say to make people nervous in her presence. At least, that is what Eren thinks, seeing how Megumi acts around her, and how he feels around her right now.

“He carries such a burden being the prince,” Eren replies. His long hair thankfully covers the heat that pools at the tips of his ears. He remembers how his mother used to often tell him that his ears would turn red when he’d lie. “I just wish for him to be happy…”

“You don’t have to be so sad for him, Eren. Yuuta is a kind man. There is no way that he wouldn’t feel love for his queen. Perhaps not at first… but he would. And any woman would love to have him as a husband. No matter who will be the Nymerian queen one day, they will cherish each other. I’m sure of it.”

Unbeknownst to her, her words only drive the knife deeper into his chest. “Right, of course. I’m sure they will.”

After a bout of silence, Rika says, “I don’t think I’ve told you before but… I’m glad my brother had your company all those years.” Eren straightens up, looking toward Rika with a curious stare. “These past six years I wondered if he was safe… or if he was even alive. I prayed for him every day.” Eren sees how her eyes waver, glistening with unshed tears at the memory. “I’m glad he’s alive but I am especially happy that he had someone like you there to care for him. Thank you for bringing him home, and for being his friend, too.”

All this time, the thought of returning to Nymeria from Valyria always made Eren full of regrets—there was nothing for him to gain from leaving the sanctuary of his island. If anything, all leaving had done was drive a wedge between him and his beloved. But seeing Rika’s emotions on display like this… Eren can see why Yuuta couldn’t stay with him in Valyria. Yuuta didn’t leave just because he felt he had to, but because there are so many people here who cared for him, and he couldn’t go on living on the island knowing that all these people worried for him. Rika would have lived her entire life thinking Yuuta was dead had they never left. The wound on her heart would have never healed, and the thought of being that selfish causes a pang of pain in Eren’s chest.

He reaches over and takes her hand into his palms. Rika, surprised, looks up at him with the softest of blushes tinting her skin. Eren is so warm, her palm feels as if it were being held over a fire.

“I’m glad I was able to bring Yuuta back to you, princess,” Eren softly smiles. “He worried about you every day, too. I caught him praying often for your safety just as you prayed for him.”

She clears her throat, swallowing the feeling of worms crawling beneath her skin. She’d met many noblemen over the years, but never had a man caused her to feel so nervous. She looks down at his large hands, savoring their warmth.

“Thankfully, I spent the last six years in Seomor away from our father. There was fear that he would hurt us like he hurt my mother… but I was safe in Seomor.”

“Your mother… She was from Seomor, right?” Eren asks, remembering this fact when Rika speaks it aloud.

Rika’s other hand is wrapped around the spine of her book. She sets her novel down on the table. Eren releases her hand and she places both her hands over her lap as he watches her with interest. She idly smoothes down her dress—anything to keep her hands distracted from wanting to feel his warmth again.

“Yes. My mother was a highborn lady from the kingdom of Seomor. It’s the westernmost kingdom in the realm, full of lush greenery and surrounded by beautiful beaches made of golden sand. My mother’s noble house is small—it’s a wonder my father chose to marry into it at all. But I like to think he simply married her because he loved her. My mother was quite beautiful and so kind to us. My brother, even though he looks so much like my father, he is a lot like my mother.”

“Your brother used to say the opposite of you,” Eren recalls with a faint smile. “When he’d speak about you, he’d always say that you looked like your mother but you were way too bold like your father.”

Rika laughs. On instinct, she covers her lips with her hand—it’s more ladylike, she had been taught.

Eren, because he had never spent time in the company of noblewomen, questions the gesture. “Why do you do that, princess?”

Rika blinks, confused. “Do what?”

“Cover your face when you laugh.” He leans in closer, and Rika’s breath hitches in her throat. “You shouldn’t hide it. Then no one can see your smile. It’s pretty.”

Rika’s stomach flips at the words, spoken with such sincerity. She immediately opts to deflect the conversation, to soothe her nerves and warming cheeks.

“H-has my brother taught you much about the other kingdoms at all? I-I can tell you a bit about each of them.”

Eren ponders the question, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, sometimes he would talk about them when we were in Valyria, but it was hard for me to picture them. The island was all I knew. I didn’t understand something as vast as a kingdom when all I knew were villages and forests.”

“Well, Nymeria is the kingdom farthest to the east. Then to the northwest is what was once Drican. It is part of our kingdom now after we won the war. To the southwest is Parryn, a kingdom ruled by the Yoshino clan. To the west of Parryn is Xentis, and to the west of Drican is Avahan. Avahan is ruled by the Kamo family. Xentis and its neighbor to the west, Themiscyra, are both ruled by the Zenin clan—each kingdom is ruled by one branch of the family. And to the south of Themiscyra is where my mother is from, Seomor. Their current king is the one who I mentioned before: Hajime Kashimo.”

Rika begins to fiddle with her braid as she speaks, her words tumbling out one after another in her nervousness as she rambled. Staring at the man beside her makes her stomach feel like it may cave in on itself, as if her chest is filled with nothing but warm air and butterflies. Mentally, she chastises herself at the word vomit that left her mouth. Swooning over a man feels very out of the ordinary for her, but perhaps it can’t be helped; the dragon is so different from other men she’s met before. His words never have any hidden meaning, nor does he have any motives to lie or use her. Everything he says—his feelings, his compliments—it’s all genuine from his heart.

Eren ruminates in silence for a moment before letting out a weak laugh. “Forgive me, princess, but it’ll be hard for me to remember all those names.”

“I know,” she giggles, relieved that Eren doesn’t seem to notice how he’s affecting her. “It takes time to learn them all. I’ve been studying my whole life to remember such things about the realm. Especially if I’ll have to wed a prince someday…”

Eren notices the way Rika’s smile falters toward the end of her words. He asks, “Have you met the princes from the other kingdoms yet?”

“I’ve met a lot of noblemen in Seomor but with my father’s reputation… I have yet to meet a man who offered to marry me. Well, except one. The prince of Parryn, Junpei Yoshino.”

“Did you not wish to marry him?” Eren asks Rika, surprised.

“I had met Junpei before but never with the intention to marry. Not until… Well, actually, it was just before the day that you and my brother returned. I’d always been curious about him, but once I spent more than a few minutes with him, I didn’t like him at all.” She scrunches up her nose at the memory, earning a chuckle from the dragon. “Lord Nanami had suggested the match in talks with Junpei’s father. They wanted to unite our kingdoms, since Parryn has always had a close relationship with Nymeria but… Junpei was quite… unapproachable, to put it lightly. If you and my brother hadn’t returned… I probably would’ve been preparing for a marriage ceremony as we speak.”

Rika seems so relieved once she says the last line, and Eren can’t help but smile. Eren had never had a younger sibling, and speaking with Rika now feels comforting, as if Yuuta’s younger sister were his own. Rika sees this smile, one that he displays just for her, and it makes her feel warm. Happy.

“I’m glad Yuuta’s return has made things better for you, princess. I hope that it will be as you say—that you’ll be able to marry whenever and whomever you wish.”

Silently, though every fiber of his being wishes to say it aloud, he hopes that it will be possible for Yuuta, too.

Rika is confused by the emotions she sees in his eyes. She doesn’t understand why he looks at her with both sadness yet longing. Is he wishing for that so wholeheartedly for her sake too?

She agrees with a nod, encouraged by his words. “I do hope so too, Eren.”

***

The sounds of the Lord Commander’s boots clacking against the marble floors echo loudly off the walls with each step he takes down the familiar halls towards the emperor’s residence in the palace. The royal wing is nothing near strange territory for him—perhaps so familiar that he can paint each brick, each wooden panel, each piece of marble and tile from memory onto canvas if he ever so chose. Many moons ago, before all Nymeria’s infantry came to be under his command, these simple halls were the only kingdom he knew. Whether it was (reluctantly) gallivanting with the young prince in his youth, later trailing behind the emperor as his Sworn Protector, or even these days, with his regular visits to the emperor’s chambers as his Lord Commander, the steady, regular sound of leather soles against polished marble always sounds the same.

Most days the halls just before the king’s chambers are strictly traversed by servants and healers. Due to their fear of the Mad King and exaggerated, frightful rumors of his curse, the servants stay away from this area of the palace, scurrying like skittish mice being chased away by a predator whenever they are called upon to tend to the King. The sounds of Toji’s steps approaching the royal chambers rattle louder and louder in his ears as he approaches the heavy wooden door through the empty halls and passages, interrupting the stillness. The guards at the door, elite kingsguards under Toji’s command, nod and step aside for their commander, allowing Toji into the room.

“Good day, Lord Commander.” Toji is greeted by one of the healers with a curt, respectful nod as soon as he steps into the entryway, his heavy leather boots scraping against the wooden floorboards.

“Maester,” Toji nods in return, a man of few words as always. His eyes quickly dart to the grand bed in the center of the room, his arms moving to remove the sword in its hilt at his side. He leaves it and its scabbard in a receptacle in the entryway as it is custom to shed his weapon when in the chambers of the king, hastily making his way across the room as the healer begins to scramble and clean up his potions and tools that were laid out at the side table.

At the king’s bedside is an armchair upholstered in dark velvety fabric trimmed with braided gold thread at its edges. The chair matches the long, opulently gold-trimmed curtains hung before each window as well as around the king’s bedposts, though now they are pulled back at the midsections with a golden rope, fringed at the end with long golden tassels.

As Nymeria’s autumn season is beginning to show its head, the servants have lit the fireplace across from the king’s bed to keep the room warm, knowing that even with the bedsheets as thick as they are, the now frail king often suffers from chills. To the Lord Commander, the man as bulky and large-framed as he is, the room is just teetering on the edge of hot, with the scent of ginger and lycium—healing herbs—heavy in the air and deftly plugging his nose. He takes a seat in the armchair at Yuuki’s bedside regardless, prepared to weather the stifling atmosphere in order to spend this time with his closest friend.

When Toji settles into the seat and the healer scurries away, Toji finally allows his pale green eyes to take in the sight of his king: Yuuki’s laying down in bed, head propped up by feathered pillows, and his body covered with dark heavy bedsheets up to his collarbones. He’s asleep, eyes closed with dark hair framing his face, his pale lips just slightly agape. Yet, the man doesn’t snore—not anymore, not the same way that Toji used to tease him for in his youth whenever he’d catch the prince dozing away, avoiding his lessons. The Yuuki he knew back then… That cocky smile, his rosy complexion, his eagerness for sparring, jousting, and all things debauchery—that Yuuki is simply a memory, the man before him a ghost of the once so-called Gallant Prince.

Although during the war and in the years after, Yuuki became someone whom the realm grew to fear, whom even his own subjects began to whisper rumors of madness and evil, it wasn’t always that way. Toji has known since the day he came to live in the Nymerian palace the extent of Yuuki’s kindness. Perhaps that is why, even now, Toji doesn’t feel any fear in his heart, not like the others do. He looks over at his king with a gaze heavy enough to drown in, the room in which they are both in now bringing back memories that the Lord Commander often wishes he could forget.

It was once in this very room, almost seven years ago now, that Toji saw for the first time the true extent of the spell—no, curse—that the witch had placed upon Yuuki. His descent into madness was sharp and swift; it had been no less than half a dozen months since the murder of Princess Yuuri that the Queen had followed her sister-in-law to the afterlife. Unlike Yuuri’s death, perpetrated by a foreign land bent on starting a war, Queen Haruka’s had been at the very hands of her loving husband, the king who sleeps just an arm’s reach from Toji now. Perhaps that night had been the only time that Toji had ever been afraid—not for himself, but for his king.

Yuuta, much too young to do anything but run away, had fearfully witnessed with his own two eyes the death of his mother at his father’s hands. And Toji, moments later, had seen the same fear in Yuuki’s eyes: the king’s own fear that one day he would do the same to his children. That night, as Haruka’s limp body still warmed the sheets of their bed, Yuuki’s mind, warped and damaged by the witch’s spell, knew that he was a danger to those around him. Nothing had made it more clear in his mind than the sight of his son and daughter cowering in their bedroom, hiding from him.

His first thought after his mind had cleared of the power-hungry state that it had been in, was ending his life before it could become any worse. He feared for those around him whom he cherished so dearly: his son, daughter, friends, and closest advisors. Hell, his entire kingdom. Who knows the depths of warfare and bloodshed that he would subject his kingdom to if he were willing to go as far as killing his beloved wife? He feared the monster that he had become in his quest to defeat Drican, and at that moment, had considered that the kingdom would be better off if his life were to end now before the spell could continue to rot away at his mind.

Yet, that night, before he could leave his kingdom behind to his Lord Hand and his children who were much too young to rule, Toji was there for him. Toji, his closest friend and most loyal knight, was there to convince Yuuki that they would find a cure for him. That he, even with the evil he had just committed, was worth fighting for. Though it was Toji who had always felt as if Yuuki had saved him, at that moment, it was Toji who had saved Yuuki. In the days after Yuuta and Rika were sent away, when word of Yuuta’s disappearance had reached the palace, it was Toji, along with the aid of their master of ships Lord Higuruma, who served as a rock for the king, grounding him and assuring him of Yuuta’s safe return, ensuring that Yuuki’s fragile mental state was quelled and the palace did not delve into chaos as they mounted searches by land and by sea. Amid the restoration of peace, and the loss of the kingdom’s first-born prince, Toji was there to support his king as his Lord Commander, but most importantly, as his closest friend.

Toji knows as well as Yuuki that the only reason Yuuki is still alive now, despite the toll that forbidden power took on his body, and despite the many thoughts (and attempts) that Yuuki had of taking his own life, is because of the affection Yuuki still holds for him, his family, and his kingdom. Even with his memory existing in fragments, and his body being so weak he can barely move from his bed, it is always so clear in his words and his actions that those he loves most exist at the forefront of his mind. Could a man deemed so evil by others really be the same man who still holds so much affection for them in his heart?

“Toji…”

Toji’s head snaps up at the sound of his name, his eyes previously fixated contemplatively on the bedsheets just in front of him. His eyes meet Yuuki's, an ocean of deep blue waters, just as he had always remembered them to be. There was a time when they were so dark and tumultuous, like the crashing waves of a stormy sea but that was years ago, a time when Yuuki wasn’t himself.

“My king,” Toji bows his head. Yuuki sends him a look that Toji knows all too well. Toji adds, in a softer voice, “Yuuki.”

Yuuki begins to shuffle in bed, moving to sit up from his laying down position. Toji instantly gets off the armchair, one of his arms looping around Yuuki’s back, gently lifting him. Yuuki can’t help but let out what sounds like a chuckle, defeated, letting his friend assist him with something as simple as moving around in his own bed. There have been many times in the past where Yuuki has voiced his distaste for this situation he is in—‘it’s as if I’ve become a man more than twice my age’ he’d once said. Yet today he chooses not to comment on it.

Instead, he starts by asking Toji about himself. With a palm laid over one of Toji’s arms, his touch so cold Toji stutters upon contact, he asks, “Toji… Are you well?”

“I should be the one to ask you.” Toji takes the king’s hand, so thin and frail now, into his own palms. “I’m fine, Your Highness. It is you we worry for. Are the healers helping you feel any better?”

Yuuki’s thin, pale lips curl upwards but his expression couldn’t be further from a smile. “You know I am afflicted with… something which cannot be healed, Toji.”

A stretch of silence passes, the king’s deep breaths causing his chest to rise and fall. Toji knows better than anyone that there is no way to break Yuuki’s curse—if there were, he would have found it long ago when the witch Nobara was still within his grasp. Perhaps it is a sense of hope—or an illusion of it, more likely—that has Toji wondering if anything the healers can do would improve the king’s condition. These past years of visiting the royal chambers have never borne any fruit in that regard. But perhaps Toji’s asking is part of the formality of it all, now—less out of hopeful thinking and more out of decorum.

“Well… You look well,” Toji lies, in hopes of lifting the king’s spirits. He studies Yuuki’s face as he speaks. Except for the pallor of his skin, and the length of his hair, the thinness of his body—he’s still very much the Yuuki he’s always known. “Your hair’s gotten a bit longer—are your servants not tending to it? Or are you trying to look more like your son? It doesn’t suit you.”

At that, Yuuki genuinely laughs. “Hmm… Perhaps the latter. The Grand Maester told me… that seeing Yuuta for the first time felt as if he were seeing an apparition… that of my younger self.”

Toji, remembering when he had seen Yuuta climb off the back of a dragon, knows exactly how that felt. “He was right. Your son has always looked like you, even as a child. But perhaps even more so now that he’s a man in his own right.”

“How is he? My son?” Yuuki asks, shuffling in bed to sit higher up against his headboard. Toji sits straighter, lifting a heavy boot to cross one ankle over the other. “He does not frequent my chambers… as much as I’d like him to.”

“You would have never guessed he was living on an island but a month ago. He’s smart, tactful even.” Yuuki grins then, relieved. “He’s already caught up on much of the politics and relationships with the other kingdoms in the realm, and he’s already acting on your behalf during meetings with your council. The prince is quite…” he pauses as he searches for the words. “Calm and level-headed, I’d say. Not like a certain little pig-headed prince I once knew.”

Yuuki chuckles—a laugh so thin you’d miss it if you weren’t familiar with his weakened gestures.

“Of course… He is Haruka’s son, after all,” Yuuki murmurs, to which Toji shakes his head.

“You forget what a brilliant king you once were, Yuuki.” Yuuki blinks back at Toji’s words, listening intently. “I remember the day you told your queen just how much you cared for your family and your kingdom—and that you’d do anything for their prosperity. I think your son is just the same. He cares for our kingdom, much like you do.”

Yuuki’s gaze travels to his hands in his lap, his hands that in his mind are so disgustingly tainted with blood and all the evil things he’d done. But they were all done in the name of his kingdom. “I’m glad that… there is at least one man who still… thinks so highly of me…”

“Try not to let that big head of yours grow any bigger now.”

Yuuki turns toward Toji and sees fondness in his gaze. Toji’s always looked at him the same, no matter what they’d been through over the years, and the thought warms his heart immensely. Even if Toji never puts words to it, even if his words are laced with thin insults and sarcastic jabs, the look in his eyes has always been enough to reveal the truth.

“I often hope that… one day my son will have someone as devoted as you are, Toji…”

At his words, Toji crosses his arms over his chest, turning his face to hide the flames of embarrassment that begin to creep up his face. “I’m just speaking truthfully, Your Highness.”

Yuuki laughs entirely too hard at Toji’s flustering, enough that he has to pause to cough and clear his throat. Concern quickly takes over Toji’s features, but Yuuki simply holds up a shaky palm to quell the question poised on Toji’s tongue.

“You were never one… to be honest about your feelings… were you?”

Toji avoids the question. If it’s out of embarrassment, or out of fear of putting words to the feelings they’ve never discussed aloud, he wouldn’t dwell on it. “I do think your son has someone who will dedicate himself beyond just a knight’s oath. The dragon who brought him here, he’s been placed as my esquire. I’ve heard it for myself—that he says he is willing to die for the prince. He seems like he means it honestly.”

“Ah…” Yuuki smiles. Those words are not too far off from Toji’s vow, so many decades ago now. “Has he… taken the oath?”

“Not yet, but I think by the time of the ceremony, he’ll be ready.”

The ceremony, which looms over everyone’s mind these days, is a reference to Yuuta’s coronation ceremony as the crowned prince and Yuuki’s heir, which is set to occur in a few weeks’ time. It is at his ceremony, just like his father’s, that his set of kingsguards will be appointed. Any soldiers set to be promoted to knights will do so by being knighted by their newly crowned prince, as is custom. And though Eren has only been part of their infantry for a mere couple of weeks, his strength combined with his experience and his ‘special circumstances’, as previously discussed by the council, have left little room for doubt that he will be selected for the kingsguard. At least, that was the intention when the council had granted Eren permission to join the infantry at the last meeting.

“I wish I could be there… to see the ceremony…”

At this, Toji’s eyes widen in surprise. “What? Do you mean you won’t be in attendance?”

Yuuki gestures towards his lap, as if the answer was so obviously written across his body. “In this condition..?”

“But your subjects, the crowned princes and nobles of the realm—they’ll all be in attendance. You have to—”

“I won’t.” Yuuki’s words are stern, even with the weak timbre of his voice. Final. “What will they say… about the Mad King’s first public appearance since… since…” His words trail off, and Toji knows exactly what it is that Yuuki wishes to say. Since I killed my wife. “I don’t want… my son’s crown to be… tainted by my hands… I wish for him to be crowned… without me.”

“Yuuki…” Toji looks for any doubt in Yuuki’s eyes but finds none. This has to be something Yuuki has thought about for quite some time, as it is tradition for the current emperor to crown his heir. To forego this tradition… the guilt that Yuuki feels seems insurmountable. And Toji knows that Yuuki’s sins are not something that his words alone could erase, much less ease. He needs to earn forgiveness, not from him, but from his children whom he feels so strongly that he wronged.

“Wouldn’t it be better for him to understand you?” Toji tries to reason. “He was a kid back then. He doesn’t know why you took that spell. He’s naive still—he hasn’t learned anything of war. All of this… It was all because of this war. Because of that curse.” The last two words are spat out from behind gritted teeth.

“No, Toji… It was I who was too foolish… who ignored her warnings… who coveted power above all… It’s my fault… entirely my fault that this happened… that my children… hate me. I deserve it… for what I’ve done.”

“I think if he understood you, he would forgive you.”

He hears Toji's words, yet, all Yuuki remembers is his first meeting with his son, how Yuuta had said that he didn’t know if he ever could forgive, much less forget what Yuuki had done.

“I don’t expect his forgiveness… I just wish to absolve him of what I'd done… It is my wish, Toji… for Yuuta to become king… of his own right. Not in my shadow… it is what’s best for the kingdom… for him.”

A bout of silence passes, before Toji chuckles, breaking Yuuki from his wallowing reverie.

“What is it?” Yuuki asks.

“Good luck telling lazy bastard Nanami that he’ll have to be the one to crown your son.”

Yuuki join Toji in his mirth, laughing at the thought. Nanami, not one to perform unnecessary duties, would loathe having to be at the forefront of such a ceremony. Speaking of Nanami, Yuuki recalls a recent conversation he had had with the Lord Hand. Well, recent in his mind, which is clouded with misplaced memories. He says, “The Gods know that… Lord Nanami already has his hands full with my daughter… rejecting the hand from Crowned Prince Yoshino…”

Toji leans back against the chair, a sigh leaving his lips. Just the mention of the princess eases whatever thick air of tension had previously settled in the room when speaking of the coronation. Toji’s grateful for the change of subject. “Yes… I think perhaps the years away have made her forget her role in our kingdom. That, or the princess is simply as stubborn as a mule.”

“Is that so?” Yuuki shouldn’t be amused at the insult his daughter had unintentionally made at their neighbor and long-time trade partner, but he is. He, as the king, could force his hand; he could be enraged with his daughter for declining such an advantageous union. Instead, his eyes still sparkle with warmth. “Well… courting a woman is more interesting when… there is a challenge involved… I’ve always thought that… stubbornness can be charming.”

“I wonder where she got such a trait from,” Toji muses, his eyes wandering until they land upon Yuuki’s. It is not lost on him the way Yuuki’s lingering affection for his wife can still be heard in his voice, how it glimmers in his eyes.

Yuuki can’t help but smile faintly when their eyes meet. “Maybe she gets it from her mother.”

Toji chuckles softly. The sarcasm drips off his tongue when he replies, “Maybe.”

Yuuki suddenly becomes solemn again, his voice hushed as he asks, “Toji?”

“Yes?”

“You… and your son Megumi… protect her… She was lucky that Parryn had been… so gracious and forgiving. Another kingdom… they may not take such an insult lightly. She might have been too young to remember… just how dangerous these politics can be.”

Toji’s eyes widen at the King’s words. He knows, having experienced what tragedy had fallen upon the kingdom, why Yuuki says this to him. The last thing anyone in this kingdom would ever want is for Rika’s fate to be that of the late Princess Okkotsu.

“Of course, we will. The prince and the princess are both under my protection. So long as I am Lord Commander nothing will happen to them. I promise you.”

Toji’s words help quell the uneasy feeling in Yuuki’s chest—brewing, yet unexplainable. He smiles at his longtime friend as he lays back down against his bedding, weary from such long conversation. It’s a miracle Yuuki was as talkative as he just was, Toji thinks, resigning himself to the plush cushions of his chair. Yuuki’s eyelids grow heavy. His last words before he succumbs to exhaustion come out as a murmur:

“Thank you, Toji.”

***

Tags: @brujaovermoxy @aki-and-saltfish @starry-supernova @itsalicewickedmcgee @jaeger-xo @whore4jean @broken-freedom @raechulashleigh @fqiryspit

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#eren smut #yuta smut #yuta fluff #eren fluff #eren Yeager smut #eren jaeger smut #yuta okkotsu smut #yuuta fluff #aot smut #snk smut #jjk smut #jjk fic #aot fic #ice & fire canon

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bl4ckr0se-3006 · 8 months ago

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Crossover Rp - Grishaverse| Six of Crows/Shadow and Bone and Another Fandom

Hey I am kind if desperate to do some kind of to do some king of crossover Rp involving the Six of Crows characters and another fandom we both agree on. I have a full list of my fandoms I will put son here below. Any ships I want to keep within fandoms and I wasn’t to keep the characters within their own lore unless necessary etc, for example I really don’t want anyone asking for us to play characters from Six of Crows as characters from other fandoms and no comparing the characters from Sic of Crows to characters from other fandoms either, especially villains, it makes my uncomfortable, especially when Kaz, he’s too good for that and I desperately want to play Kaz for this.

For Kaz only ship I am comfortable with is Kanej, no exceptions sorry. I have a la list of ships and the characters I can play for other fandoms I will also put below, we can discuss which fandom to crossover with. If interested leave me a comment here or pm me, preferably both. If we’re playing more than one character each from each fandom we can discuss how we split that I am absolutely comfortable discussing who plays who outside of Kaz and Inej and I much prefer my rp partner to play Inej and I have a stronger muse for Kaz. I tend to lean into Kaz’s trauma and PTSD, etc, like I feel bad for him yes but he wouldn’t be him without that backstory so please be fine with me doing this.

My fandoms are:

Stranger Things

Walking Dead

The Last of Us

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Tokyo Ghoul

Deathnote

Demon Slayer

Jujustu Kaisen

Dune

Umbrella Academy

His Dark Materials

Marvel

Game of Thrones

Twilight

Heathers

Titanic

Harry Potter

Squid Game

Omori

Avatar the Last Airbender

Miraculous.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Spirited Away

Call me by Your Name

Owl House

D&D

Witcher

Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows

Bones and All

Crimson Peak

Red Queen

Attack on Titan

The Characters I’ll play are below listed by Fandom:

Stranger Things:

Eleven

Eddie Munson

Robin Buckley

Max Mayfield

Walking Dead:

Carl Grimes

Daryl Dixon

The Last of Us:

Ellie Williams

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children:

Enoch O’Connor (for this character I heavily prefer to work off the film version of the character though I have read and really like the books too.)

Tokyo Ghoul:

Juuzou Suzuya

Uta

Deathnote:

Demon Slayer:

Giyu Tomioka

Jujustu Kaisen:

Mahito

My Oc: Tomie Ryo

Dune:

Paul Arteries

Umbrella Academy:

Klaus Hargreaves

His Dark Materials:

Lyra Belacqua

Marvel:

Avengers:

Loki

X-Men:

Jean Grey

DC:

Harley Quinn (I will only play the Suicide Squad/Birds of Prey version)

The Flash:

Barry Allen/The Flash

Game of Thrones:

Bran Stark

Arya Stark (Possibly)

Daenerys Targaryen

Twilight:

Edward Cullen

Heathers:

J.D.

Titanic:

Jack Dawson

Harry Potter:

Luna Lovegood

Fantastic Beasts:

Credence Barebone

Marauders:

Regulus Black

Cursed Child:

Scorpius Malfoy

Squid Game:

Player 067/Kang Sae-Beyok

Omori:

Sunny/Omori

Avatar the Last Airbender:

Katara

Miraculous:

Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir

Felix Fathom/Argos/Flairmidable (mostly as Felix or Argos)

Luka Coffaine/Viperion

Howl’s Moving Castle:

Howl Jenkins Pendragon

Spirited Away:

Haku

Call me by Your Name:

Elio Perlman

Owl House:

Amity

Hunter

D&D:

Doric

My Oc - Cælen Ærinasion

Witcher:

I only play my Oc Cælen Ærinasion for this Fandom

Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows:

Kaz Brecker

Bones and All:

Lee

Crimson Peak:

Thomas Sharpe

Red Queen:

Maven Calore

Attack on Titan:

Eren Jaeger

The pairings I do, by fandom, the character I play is for each is is brackets (Please note + is platonic and & is ship.

Stranger Things:

(Eleven) + (Max) - (Please note for this one I do believe Max has feelings Eleven that go beyond friendship, I don’t believe Eleven reciprocates them.

(Eddie) +/&Steve

(Eddie) +/& Chrissy

(Robin) + Steve

(Robin) +/& Vickie

(Max) +/& Lucas

Walking Dead:

(Carl Grimes) +/& Enid

Daryl Dixon (I don’t currently have any ships for this characters open to any platonic pairings though)

The Last of Us:

Ellie Williams + Joel Miller

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children:

(Enoch) +/& Olive

I am also open to any platonic pairings involving Enoch.

Tokyo Ghoul:

Juuzou Suzuya (I don’t currently have and ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

Uta (I don’t currently have and ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

Deathnote:

(L) +/& Light (this is mostly in Au settings alone, I won’t do Kira and L ship rps.)

Demon Slayer:

(Giyu) +\& Shinobu

Jujustu Kaisen:

Mahito (I don’t currently have and ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.)

My Oc - Tomie Ryo (I don’t currently have and ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings. And I only do OCxOC ship wise, CCxOC can make me uncomfortable, I am however open to CC + OC platonic rps.)

Dune:

(Paul) +/& Chani

Umbrella Academy:

(Klaus) +/& Dave

His Dark Materials:

(Lyra) +/& Will

Marvel:

Avengers:

Loki (I don’t have any ship pairings for this, open to platonic pairings though.)

X-Men:

(Jean Grey) +/& Scott Summers

DC:

(Harley Quinn) x Joker

The Flash:

(Barry/ The Flash) +/& Iris

Game of Thrones:

Bran Stark (I don’t currently have any ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

Arya Stark (I don’t currently have any ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

(Daenerys) +/& Khal Drogo

Twilight:

(Edward) +/& Bella

(Edward) + Any of that Cullens

Heathers:

(J.D.) +\& Veronica

Titanic:

(Jack) +/&Rose

Harry Potter:

(Luna) +/& Neville

Fantastic Beasts:

Credence Barebone (I don’t currently have any ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

Marauders:

(Regulus) +/& James

(Regulus) + Sirius

Cursed Child:

(Scorpius) +/& Rose

(Scorpius) +/& Albus

Squid Game:

Player 067/Kang Sae-Beyok (I don’t currently have any ships for this character though I am open to any platonic pairings.

Omori:

(Sunny/Omori) +/& Basil

Avatar the Last Airbender:

(Katara) +/& Aang

Miraculous:

(Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir) +\& Marinette Dupain Cheng/Ladybug

(Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir) + Kagami Tsurugi/Ryuko

(Felix Fathom/Argos/Flairmidable) +\& Kagami Kagami Tsurugi/Ryuko

Luka Coffaine/Viperion (Platonic pairings only please)

(Adrien Agreste/Cat Noir) + Felix Fathom/Argos/Flairmidable

Howl’s Moving Castle:

(Howl) + Mark

(Howl) + Calcifer

(Howl) +\& Sophie

Spirited Away:

(Haku) + Chiro

(Haku) +/& Oc

Call me by Your Name:

(Elio) - I don’t currently have pairings for this character. Open to CC +\& OC if necessary though.

Owl House:

(Amity)+/& Luz

(Hunter) +\& Willow

(Hunter) + Gus

(Amity) + Willow

D&D:

(Doric) +/& Simon

OC+/&OC

(OC)+ CC (Willing for double up in which I will play a CC)

Witcher:

OC +/& OC

(OC)+/& CC (I won’t play CC for this Fandom.)

Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows:

(For this fandom bear in mind I do very much see Kaz as asexual, not necessarily aromatic, look it up if need definitions. Asexual does not mean can’t fall in love.)

(Kaz) +/& Inej

(Kaz) + Jesper

Bones and All:

(I do see Lee as Bi -- well aware it might seem like a bit of an obscure one to some.)

(Lee) +/& Maren

(Lee) +/& Oc

Crimson Peak:

(Thomas) +/& Edith (Preferable)

(Thomas) +/& Oc

(Thomas) + Lucille

Red Queen:

(Maven) +\& Thomas

(Maven) +\& Mare

(Maven) + Cal

(Maven) + Tiberias Vi

(Maven) + Elara

Attack on Titan:

(Eren) +\& Mikasa

(Eren) + Armin

If interested comment or Pm me. I won’t reply to liked as I find those too ambiguous.

#roleplay partner search #roleplay #six of crows rp #six of crows #grishaverse rp #grishaverse #inej gafha #kanej #kaz x inej #crossover #crossover rp

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rimaiahwrites · 1 year ago

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Rimmy writes masterlist

Requests open.

Sweet 🧁 = fluff warm🥛= smut

Attack on titan

Jujutsu Kaisen

Marvel

Tokyo revengers

Most recent fic

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littleredlie · 4 years ago

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chaos - part two

chaos masterlist

part one 2.1k+ words

it was three years ago when nyame first saw eren. he was in titan form. she and onyankopon, had volunteered to partake in a mission to paradis island after the warrior unit’s failed attempt to capture the founding titan. but by this time her brother had already recruited her to yelena’s anti-marleyan movement. she was hesitant at first; sure she believed that marley had to be put in their place but she didn’t trust yelena and she definitely did not trust zeke. she refused to even meet the holder of the beast titan.

but the yearn for peace is what really recruited her. nyame wanted to meet the supposed devils of paradis and she believed that no one deserved to be chained from their freedom.

so when the peace of calm ocean water and the sailing of the travelling military ship is disrupted by the roaring sound of waves and the growls of some being that she could not see, she knew that they had made it to where they needed to be. the then seventeen-year-old loses her footing and almost falls down the length of the ship into the water, but onyankopon grabs her arm and her body remains suspended in air as he holds on to some platform.

the ship moves in the air and nyame feels a forceful breeze push against her while the rush of blood pulsates in her ears. when the titan puts down the ship, nyame’s body roughly hits the floor and a dull pain releases from the side she landed on. she helps her older brother up, her eyes only paying attention to him and any possible injuries before a woman’s voice rings out over the landscape.

“hello ladies and gentlemen of marley! welcome to the island of paradis!” nyame’s head snaps to a brunette soldier wearing a cloak and an eye patch, there’s a large smile on their face as they greet the marleyan soldiers.

the excitement the eldian exuded surprised nyame and for a second she thought that their behavior wasn’t necessarily fit for the situation. however, nyame’s thoughts are pulled towards the titan that was towering over the ship. an amazed gasp leaves her throat as she continued to gaze up to him and ignored the situation happening around them.

pushing a curl from in front of her face, her eyes continue to graze up the toned body of the attack titan. raven hair curtained its face, but she could still see piercing eyes and sharp teeth. she’s seen titans before as it was marley’s greatest defense in wars, but none had ever been able to mesmerize her as much as the one that stood before her.

a gunshot is what brings nyame’s attention back. yelena is holding a pistol up and nyame’s eyes sink down to the floor at the bullet’s victim. a strangled choke unwittingly escapes, and kopo gives her a quick look. it isn’t for long though, as he quickly moves to constraints someone making their way towards the tall, blonde soldier.

their motives are questioned by their fellow marleyan soldiers, but yelena makes an announcement to the yelling host. “hange. i’m honored to receive your invitation. now, how about that tea?”

nyame stays planted beside her older brother while the others kneel behind yelena. from the corner of her eye, nyame notices someone abruptly move, making his way towards yelena’s back. and without thinking, nyame runs towards the approaching body and with no ounce of hesitation in her, she raises her leg and kicks the soldier’s throat with her shin. with a swinging movement, she leads the blonde man down to the floor on his back, his breaths coming out rapidly and with struggle due to the force nyame hit him with. her body continues rotating until her leg makes it back to the ship floor with a loud thud and now she was facing her audience. she blows directed at the new curl that obstructed her view and one of her hands comes up to lay on her hip.

onyankopon looks at her with a look of pride, but yelena looks a little surprised, as nyame has never shown that sort of protectiveness towards her before. nyame shrugs and glances up to the person named hange, who also has a look of surprise embellishing their face.

yelena wrenches her head from the combative soldier towards the titan. “i’ve so wanted to meet you, eren...” she says and the name settles in the mind of nyame.

eren.

it was a beautiful name and although nyame had only seen his titan form, she knew he was probably an interesting person. the concept of eldians having the power to shift into titans, astonished her and this was the closest she’d ever been to one. and she wasn’t scared. she couldn’t wait to see his human face.

nyame keeps quiet as she moves beside her brother. the resisting marleyan soldiers are taken somewhere under the guard of some of the paradis soldiers, but she alongside onyankopon and yelena are lead to a tent and offered tea.

she looks at the gloomy man that sat across from her. his face unphased by the conversation happening between yelena and hange. a gun and its bullets are displayed on the table, its nothing nyame hasn’t seen before and at that point all she cared about was the titan and the gear that she saw on their hips when they first were invited. the short man’s voice beckons her and she sees his mouth move barely as he replied to yelena.

“how about that. hmph.”

“that means you’ve killed all the pure titans on the island...isn’t that right?” yelena inquires. the news surprises nyame. multiple countries, including her own, has had trouble battling with the titans. she wanted to learn how to do that. she needed to know.

“we are the anti-marleyan volunteers.” yelena announces and nyame holds her head up high, okay with having such a title bestowed upon her. “our goal... is to free the eldian people.”

hange and the man – who nyame learned was named levi – look between the three of the them, levi’s eyes training on nyame for just a second longer, her actions from on the ship still replaying in his mind. this gives her enough courage to question their techniques and motives.

“i’ve heard about your gear. the ones that can make you fly. is it possible that i have access to it?” the impassive look is still present on levi’s face and hange looks at nyame with a calculating look, before a cheek crushing smiles breaks out onto their face. nyame can feel a little tension rise off of her chest.

“let us first plead your case to our military council and maybe we’ll exchange more information about technology.” nyame doesn’t reply with words, just a firm nod and her eyes are back to the empty teacup that sat on her table.

it takes some time, but the eldians of paradis are accepting the advice the volunteers have offered. yelena helps with luring multiple marley ships into a trap involving either the attack or colossal titan. onyankopon uses his knowledge to help with the development of a port. nyame hangs around him and listens of course, inputting some information her brother didn’t reiterate but this wasn’t her best skill. nyame is most helpful when it comes to the weapons.

it was something that came naturally to her. dismantling them, cleaning them, putting them together, creating new ways for them to function better. using them. she was a phenomenal markswoman and that’s what got her the position to teach the scout regiment how to shoot using rifles newer the ones they already had.

and that’s how she formally met eren.

the volunteers were kept an appropriate distance away from eren yeager. nyame understood, the situation of it all was a mess in the world and she wasn’t gonna try to decipher it.

the two teenagers eyes meet briefly and although they had never spoken words to one another, it was like eren’s eyes saw right through nyame. like he knew all her intentions and fears, like a connection between them was bound to happen. at that moment she was grateful that her skin was darker than her peers, because if the heat that was invading her face could be displayed, she’d be red and embarrassed.

she turns her attention away and instead focuses on sasha, who has picked the technique of marksmanship quicker than her fellow soldiers. she squats next to her, watching her movements as she aims at a target down the field. a wind blows around them causing for nyame’s hair to dance into her face.

eren sees this and the movement of the wind weaving through nyame’s dark coils entrance him. it’s the first thing that has been able to do so in a while. her hair doesn’t move like everyone else’s, but instead in huge heaps that she caresses out of her face, a small grin accompanying the action every time. eren saw that she didn’t seem bothered by the repetitive action, she just looked pretty. a remark made by connie forces him back to the dismantling of the rifle.

“why don’t you tie your hair up?” sasha asks the markswoman, looking away from the rifle.

“my mother used to braid my hair down, i used to do it too. but there’s no need for the occasion, so i leave it.”

“i heard you wanted to use the odm gear.” sasha remarks, a look of curiosity on her face. “if that’s so, it would be best to either cut it or put it up. maybe go back to braiding it down.”

“maybe,” nyame shrugs, lifting the rifle back up and immediately sending out a shot that pierces the center of her target. when the rifle comes back down, sasha is holding out an extra hair tie, hinting that nyame take it. and she does. she gathers as much of her hair as she could and folds it into the tie’s embrace.

when the titan shifter looks up again, he sees that he hair is pulled away opening her face to him more. he notices the beauty mark that sits at the corner of her eye. her eyes squint and a dimple appears on her cheek when she chuckles, a result of a compliment sasha gave her. eren didn’t understand how someone could capture his attention so easily. maybe because she was a new being on the island or maybe because he wanted to know the inner workings of her being.

eren is watched over by his friends and superiors so at first he doesn’t get a chance to interact with her. but when connie has trouble putting together the advanced rifle, nyame has to step in.

swiftly, nyame pulls apart the weapon again and eren watches her move, slender and quick. and although evidence shows that she works with her hands, they look smooth to him. she explains what was missing from their work, but he barely catches what she is saying, hoping that someone will explain it to him again later because all he wants to do is hear he talk.

soon the rifle is put together again and she holds it out to eren, a smile on her face. the gesture surprises him since a lot of the outsiders have only been glancing at him with a look of fear. but in her eyes there was no trace. he could clearly see the amusement in her eyes as wrinkles formed around them.

“eren, are you going to take it?” she asks and the name on her lips is overbearing. he wants to hear her say it again, over and over. in any other way that she could say it and he’d do anything to get her to. wordlessly, he reaches for the rifle in her hand and their fingertips brush, and they both momentarily steal a moment for the touch to linger. his fingers are warm and they compliment hers, sending a jolt to the pits of her stomach.

nyame is sure that he heard the deep breath that she sweeps into her lungs. her bottom lip folds between her teeth as a shy gesture and eren can’t stop himself from looking at the action. pink dusts his cheeks, so faint that jean would not have been able to tease him about it, but from where nyame was slouching in front of him, she could see it. and it is a sight for sore eyes.

and that’s only the beginning.

_______

not gonna lie, i hate the ending of this part. but oh well. next chapter won’t really deal with the manga/anime. we’ll see nyema as her own person and see more of her interactions with other members of the scout regiment and the anti-marleyan volunteers. let me know what you think. like and reblog if you enjoyed it.

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